Apples, pears and quinces market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh apples, pears and quinces in Northern Europe showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Volume began at 1.69 million tonnes in 2018, dipped to 1.64 million tonnes in 2019, and recovered slightly to 1.68 million tonnes in 2020.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with the market falling to 1.40 million tonnes. A partial rebound to 1.48 million tonnes occurred in 2022, but volume declined again in 2023 to 1.34 million tonnes.

In 2024, import volumes stood at 809 thousand tonnes against exports of 28 thousand tonnes. During this period, the market was shaped by increased consumer health consciousness and demand for organic, locally sourced fruit. Investments in cold chain infrastructure and logistics improved market access, while new product segments like organic and value-added processed pears emerged, driven by a shift towards natural and less-processed foods.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern Europe produced 843.5 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a 7.8% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

For the third year in a row, the volume of apples, pears, and quinces exported from Northern Europe fell. In 2020, exports totaled 79 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp 31.4% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 62.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -28.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for apples, pears, and quinces exported from Northern Europe were Belarus (51.2% of export volume), Kazakhstan (8.0%), and the Netherlands (3.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 62.9% of total exports in volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

For the second consecutive year, the value of apples, pears, and quinces exported from Northern Europe declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 67 million US dollars, reflecting a modest 4.6% drop year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 28%, with a CAGR of -10.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 93 million US dollars, while the largest decline of 24.9% occurred in 2019. In contrast, 2018 saw a slight increase of 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the export value structure for apples, pears, and quinces from Northern Europe was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Belarus (27.0% of export value), Kazakhstan (6.1%), and France (5.8%) together represented 38.9% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 61.1%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Europe in value, 2017-2020

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

For the third consecutive year, the volume of apples, pears, and quinces imported into Northern Europe decreased. In 2020, imports amounted to 917 thousand tonnes, a 5.9% fall from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 27.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The import volume market for apples, pears, and quinces in Northern Europe was broad from 2017 to 2020. The Netherlands (18.8% of import volume), France (12.9%), and Italy (11.8%) together accounted for 43.6% of total flows, while the remaining 56.4% was distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apples, pears, and quinces imported into Northern Europe reached 1 118 million US dollars, a 9.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 5.2%, with a CAGR of -1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 017 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 227 million US dollars. The largest decline of 17.1% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import value structure for apples, pears, and quinces in Northern Europe was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands (15.6% of import value), France (15.6%), and Italy (15.1%) jointly represented 46.4% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 53.6%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Europe in value, 2017-2020