Apples, pears and quinces market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The Serbian market for fresh apples, pears, and quinces began the period at 412 thousand tons in 2018 but declined the following year. This drop coincided with a strategic export push, where eight Serbian producers showcased fruit under the 'Serbia Does Fruit' brand at the London Produce Show to access new markets like the UK. The resulting increase in exports reduced domestic availability, contributing to the lower market volume in 2019.

After a recovery and stabilization around 416-417 thousand tons from 2020 to 2021, the market grew to a peak of 442 thousand tons in 2022. This rise was facilitated by geopolitical disruptions from the war in Ukraine, which hindered traditional export routes to Russia. Serbian growers were compelled to seek alternative markets for large stocks, a shift that temporarily reduced export volumes and increased the supply on the domestic market.

A sharp contraction followed in 2023, with the market volume falling to 328 thousand tons, driven primarily by a significant decrease in production. The season commenced with the harvest of early apple varieties, indicating ongoing cultivation activity, but overall output declined substantially from the previous year.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Serbia

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

Serbia's production of apples, pears, and quinces has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 567.7 thousand tonnes, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 28.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Serbia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Serbia exported 181.8 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a significant decline of 18.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 11.8%, with an average annual decrease of 4.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 153.9 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 223.3 thousand tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 25.3% decrease, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 45.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary market for Serbia's apples, pears, and quinces, accounting for 79.2% of total exports in volume. Other destinations made up a smaller portion of the export flow.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Serbia's export value of apples, pears, and quinces has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 132.6 million US dollars, reflecting a gradual increase of 7.4% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 108.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 17.6% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 13.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia accounted for 87.4% of the total export value of apples, pears, and quinces from Serbia. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Serbia

Imports in kind, K t

Serbia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 30.2 thousand tonnes, down 19.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 55.9%, with an average annual reduction of 23.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, North Macedonia, and Italy were the main sources of Serbia's imports in volume. Poland accounted for 48.4%, North Macedonia for 21.5%, and Italy for 12.6% of imports, together making up 82.6% of the total.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Serbia's import value of apples, pears, and quinces increased in 2020. Imports reached 15.2 million US dollars, up 27.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 32.2%, with an average annual decrease of 12.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 31.1% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands were the key markets for Serbia's imports in value terms. Poland contributed 43.2%, Italy 21.7%, and the Netherlands 12.9%, collectively accounting for 77.7% of total import flows.

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

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