Dried prunes market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The dried prune market volume in Eastern Europe grew from 43 729 t in 2018 to 49 618 t in 2020, with its value increasing from USD 117 660 thousand to USD 148 618 thousand over the same period. Regional production more than doubled, reaching 25 340 t in 2020, while imports gradually declined.

The market sharply contracted in 2021 to 33 727 t (USD 124 896 thousand) and continued to fall in 2022 to 26 913 t (USD 102 435 thousand), driven by lower domestic production and imports. A partial recovery to 29 468 t (USD 115 912 thousand) occurred in 2023, though volumes remained below the 2020 peak.

By 2024, dried prune exports from the region rose significantly, reaching 12 765 t. This growth was supported by the removal of customs tariffs and quota expansions under the revised EU Association Agreement, as well as the adoption of new drying technologies and increased production capacity in key countries such as Moldova. At the same time, 2024 climatic conditions, including droughts, affected crop quality, potentially constraining production volumes.

Production dried prunes in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has seen dried prunes production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 25 340 tonnes of dried prunes, marking a 23.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 252.8%, which translates to an impressive compound annual growth rate of 52.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of dried prunes production in Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has also risen for three consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 97 718 thousand US dollars, showing a modest gain of 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, production value jumped by 201.5%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 44.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried prunes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, dried prunes exports from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, rebounded in 2020. The region exported 7 267 tonnes that year, up by 48.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 39.3%, with an annualized rate of 11.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 894 tonnes, which also saw the steepest drop of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, dried prunes exports from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, were distributed across a wide range of markets. Italy accounted for 7.9% of exports in volume, Germany for 4.8%, and Greece for 3.6%, with these three countries together making up just 16.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, exported dried prunes worth 28 022 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust increase of 21.8% over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 19%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 23 013 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, dried prunes exports in value terms from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, relied on a diverse set of partner countries. Germany held a 10.1% share, Italy 9.6%, and Greece 4.0%, with these three together capturing only 23.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried prunes to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Dried prunes imports into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 31 545 tonnes, staying nearly flat compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.2%, with an annualized rate of 3.6%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 35 986 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 26.8%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest decline of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Chile was the leading source for dried prunes imports into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, accounting for 41.1% of imports in volume. Uzbekistan followed with 12.5%, and Argentina with 11.3%. Together, these three countries made up 64.9% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, dried prunes imports into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, were valued at 78 922 thousand US dollars, up by 10.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 15.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 82 749 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 21.6%. The biggest drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Chile remained the top partner for dried prunes imports in value terms into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, with a 44.7% share. Argentina contributed 12.1%, and Uzbekistan 7.2%, with these three together accounting for 63.9% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020