Dried prunes market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Australian dried prune market volume saw notable fluctuations. A decline in 2019 was primarily linked to a drop in domestic production, which fell by over 500 tonnes that year. The market recovered strongly in 2020, supported by entrenched consumer demand as around 75% of Australian households purchased dried fruit and over a million households regularly bought prunes.

Market volume contracted again in 2021, largely due to a sharp increase in export volumes, which more than tripled compared to 2020 and reduced domestic availability. A sustained recovery followed in 2022 and 2023, driven by shifting consumer preferences. Urban millennials and Gen Z increasingly adopted dried prunes as a healthy snack alternative. This growing demand coincided with rising local production, facilitated by new plantings in key growing regions like Young and Griffith in New South Wales.

In 2024, the market continued its expansion, with reported revenue growing by 44%. This growth was supported by a significant correction in import prices from earlier peaks and the ongoing increase in local orchard output. Promotional campaigns highlighting the health benefits of prunes further reinforced consumer interest.

Production dried prunes in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia ranked as the 14th largest producer of dried prunes globally.

Top producers of dried prunes, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried prunes, 2018-2021

In 2021, Australia produced 2 869 tonnes of dried prunes, marking a 14.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 11.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 728 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 3 371 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 16.1% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2020 with a 23.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports dried prunes from Australia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for dried prunes from Australia showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 67 tonnes and peaked in 2021 at 803 tonnes, representing a twelvefold increase between these two years. In 2021, exports surged by 278.5% compared to the prior year. The sharpest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 70.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China was the dominant destination for Australia's dried prune exports in volume terms, accounting for 90.7% of the total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for dried prunes from Australia exhibited high volatility over this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 174 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2021 at 2 118 thousand US dollars, showing a 12.2-fold difference. In 2021, export value increased by 511.3% year-over-year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 53.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, China remained the primary market for Australia's dried prune exports in value terms, capturing 84.5% of total exports, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried prunes to Australia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Australia imported 1 937 tonnes of dried prunes, down 28.1% from the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, imports decreased by 29.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 10.9%. The largest increase was observed in 2020 with a 27.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018–2021, Chile and the United States were the key sources for Australia's dried prune imports in volume, together making up 97.1% of total flows, while other countries had smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Australia imported 7 934 thousand US dollars worth of dried prunes in 2021, reflecting a significant contraction of 14.1% compared to the year before. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 24.3%, averaging an 8.8% annual decrease. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 7 525 thousand US dollars. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2019 with a 28.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2020 with a 22.8% gain.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the 2018–2021 period, Australia's dried prune imports in value terms were primarily sourced from Chile and the United States, which together accounted for 92.9% of total flows, with other destinations playing a minor role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021