Dried prunes market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried prunes market in Eastern Asia saw moderate growth in volume from 2018 to 2021, rising from 36.7 thousand tons to 40.4 thousand tons. The market value experienced a temporary dip in 2019 to 106.1 million USD, influenced by price fluctuations, before recovering to 140.1 million USD by 2021.

A sharp expansion occurred from 2022 onward, with market volume jumping to 52.6 thousand tons and value to 179.9 million USD in 2022. This surge was primarily driven by a substantial increase in prune imports into the region, particularly to China, coupled with reduced plum cultivation acreage which contributed to higher product prices. Growth continued in 2023, with the market reaching 67.5 thousand tons and 218.0 million USD, supported by sustained import growth and reinforced by the national market expansion and brand activity of major consumer companies like Li Ziyuan. Into 2024, high import levels persisted, and market dynamics were further shaped by evolving consumer preferences towards domestic products and continued strong import activity for fruits.

Production dried prunes in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eastern Asia produced 21 032 tonnes of dried prunes, marking the lowest output in recent years with a 4.8% decline from 2018. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 21 383 tonnes, representing a modest 1.7% increase compared to 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22 083 tonnes, which was a 1.9% rise from the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of dried prune production in Eastern Asia reached its lowest point at 60 569 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 10.7% decrease. By 2020, production value had recovered to 70 218 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 15.9% year-on-year growth. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 4.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

Exports dried prunes from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Asia's dried prune exports reached their peak in 2018 at 2 112 tonnes, representing a substantial 27.6% increase from the previous year. However, exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, dropping to 1 587 tonnes, which was 18.9% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export destinations for dried prunes from Eastern Asia were highly diversified, with no single partner dominating the market. Vietnam accounted for 18.9% of exports in volume, followed by unspecified Asian countries at 5.3%, and Singapore at 2.7%. Together, these three destinations represented just 26.9% of total export flows, while the remaining 73.1% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of dried prune exports from Eastern Asia peaked in 2018 at 6 485 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable 26.3% increase from the previous year. However, exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, falling to 5 212 thousand US dollars, which was 7.5% lower than in 2019. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with a 13.1% drop in export value.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export value of dried prunes from Eastern Asia was spread across numerous destinations, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant. Vietnam accounted for 11.4% of export value, unspecified Asian countries for 8.6%, and Singapore for 4.9%. Combined, these three partners represented only 24.9% of total export flows, while the remaining 75.1% was distributed among a diverse array of other markets.

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

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

Imports dried prunes to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Asia's imports of dried prunes have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, import volume reached 20 008 tonnes, showing a robust 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 53.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Chile were the primary sources for dried prune imports into Eastern Asia, together accounting for 87.8% of total import volume. Other partner countries supplied the remaining 12.2%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of dried prune imports into Eastern Asia amounted to 57 585 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 12.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 28.4%, with an average annual rate of 8.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 17.7% rise, while the only decline was recorded in 2019, with a modest 3.0% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the dominant supplier of dried prunes to Eastern Asia in value terms, accounting for 76.5% of total imports. Other countries collectively supplied the remaining 23.5%.

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

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