Apples, pears and quinces market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for fresh apples, pears, and quinces in Southern Europe showed significant fluctuations. It began at 5 058 thousand tons in 2018, fell to 4 252 thousand tons in 2019, and then varied between 4 357 and 4 582 thousand tons, ending at 4 309 thousand tons in 2023. The market value mirrored this volatility, dropping to $3.7 billion in 2019 before recovering to $5.2 billion by 2023.

In 2024, European apple production declined by 11.3%, while pear output rose by 4.9%. This shift was influenced by lower production in Turkey and disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war, which affected export flows and prices. More fruit was also channeled into industrial processing for juices and purees to balance supply and maintain price stability in the market.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Southern 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 Southern Europe, apple, pear, and quince production reached 5 829 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 2.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 051 thousand tons, which represented a significant 12.7% increase. However, production declined by 6.1% in 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of apple, pear, and quince production in Southern Europe stood at 5 587 million US dollars in 2020, showing a strong 16.6% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 793 million US dollars, reflecting a 23.7% decline. In contrast, the peak value occurred in 2018 at 6 284 million US dollars, which was a substantial 29.4% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 1 791 thousand tons of apples, pears, and quinces, representing a 4.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 7.3%, with an average annual decrease of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 507 thousand tons, which marked a sharp 22.1% decline. Exports rebounded in 2019 with a 23.9% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 18.4% of exports, Russia for 9.6%, and Egypt for 6.3%, with these three countries together making up only 34.3% of total flows. The remaining 65.7% was distributed among a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of apple, pear, and quince exports from Southern Europe grew for the second consecutive year, reaching 1 717 million US dollars in 2020, a 9.0% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 565 million US dollars, which reflected a 10.5% decline.

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

During 2017-2020, exports in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Germany contributed 23.6% of export value, Russia 8.0%, and France 5.7%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 37.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, imports of apples, pears, and quinces into Southern Europe increased in 2020, totaling 520 thousand tons, which was an 18.5% gain compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 438 thousand tons, while the largest decline of 15.5% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of apples, pears, and quinces to Southern Europe, accounting for 15.4%, 10.1%, and 5.6% of imports in kind, respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 31.1% of total imports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, imports of apples, pears, and quinces into Southern Europe increased in 2020, amounting to 556 million US dollars, a 19.9% rise year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 464 million US dollars, which represented a 17.5% decline.

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

The partner structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. France accounted for 15.7% of import value, Chile for 10.1%, and the Netherlands for 7.4%, with these three countries together making up only 33.2% of total flows, and no single country held a dominant share.

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

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