Dried prunes market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried prunes market in Asia began the period at 73,000 t in 2018 before contracting to 65,000 t the following year. Volume recovered to 68,200 t in 2020 amid global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which created supply tension and price volatility for plum-related products.

A strong expansion followed, with market volume jumping 24% to 84,600 t in 2021 and reaching 93,500 t by 2023. This growth was underpinned by sustained demand in key markets like China, where dried plums maintained a stable share of around 18% of total plum imports. Furthermore, China's total plum trade volume showed significant growth, reflecting heightened market activity that supported regional consumption of dried prunes.

Import volumes into Asia rose sharply to 58,700 t in 2024, coinciding with evolving consumer trends and distribution channels. Shifts in preference among younger generations and the growing role of e-commerce platforms like Douyin in driving online sales contributed to this dynamic, while global supply chain fluctuations continued to influence import flows and costs.

Production dried prunes in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

In 2019, Asia's dried prune production experienced its largest decline of 5.6%. However, production rebounded in 2020, reaching 61,478 tonnes, which represents a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production surged by 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's dried prune production value has declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 148.5 million US dollars, marking an 8.3% decrease year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.5%. In contrast, 2018 saw the highest production value at 178.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 21.2% occurring that year.

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

Exports dried prunes from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Asia's dried prune exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 24,373 tonnes, showing a substantial gain of 25.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 47.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried prune exports from Asia were relatively evenly distributed among various partners. Russia accounted for 9.3% of exports in kind, Ukraine for 3.9%, and Belarus for 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 15.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Asia's dried prune export value has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the export volume amounted to 58,858 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 7.6% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 31.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus were significant buyers of dried prunes from Asia in value terms, with shares of 7.5%, 2.4%, and 2.1%, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 12.0% of total exports in value terms, while the remaining 88.0% was distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports dried prunes to Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, Asia's dried prune imports recorded their largest decline of 6.2%. However, imports rebounded in 2020, reaching 31,132 tonnes, which is 16.3% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 52.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when imports surged by 39.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried prune imports to Asia relied on a diverse range of partner countries. The United States accounted for 28.5% of imports in kind, Chile for 11.7%, and France for 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 45.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Asia's dried prune import value reached its minimum at 79,150 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 15.5% recorded that year. In contrast, 2018 saw the maximum value at 93,636 thousand US dollars. By 2020, imports stood at 89,743 thousand US dollars, up by 13.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and France were the principal destinations for dried prune imports to Asia in value terms. The United States accounted for 54.5% of imports, Chile for 13.2%, and France for 7.0%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for 74.7% of total import flows.

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

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