Dried prunes market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European dried prune market volume grew from 128 020 t in 2018 to 135 063 t in 2020. This increase was driven by greater investments in the dried fruit sector and a rising consumer trend towards healthy snacking, which boosted demand for fiber-rich products like prunes. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated consumption as households sought nutritious, long-shelf-life foods, while the bulk food market for items such as dried fruits reached sales of €1.3 billion.

Market volume dropped sharply to 100 906 t in 2021 after adverse weather conditions in France caused an early harvest and reduced local production by an estimated 62.5%. Recovery began in 2022, with volume reaching 115 972 t, aided by favorable weather in Germany that yielded a prune harvest 17% above the previous year. By 2023, volume rose to 123 764 t, though the French industry faced persistent drought concerns and increasing production costs despite an estimated harvest of 40 000 t.

Production dried prunes in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

Dried prune production in Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Europe produced 75 988 tonnes of dried prunes, marking an 11.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 39.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Europe's dried prune production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output of dried prunes was valued at 384.2 million US dollars in Europe, representing a 3.4% increase from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production surged by 102.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 26.6%.

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

Exports dried prunes from Europe

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Europe's volume of dried prune exports has increased. In 2020, Europe exported 28 478 tonnes of dried prunes, showing a 31.8% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 26.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 9.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 614 tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 30.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated dried prune exports from Europe. Algeria accounted for 8.6% of exports in kind, China for 2.7%, and Turkey for 2.5%, together making up only 13.8% of total exports in kind. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's dried prune export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Europe exported 144.0 million US dollars worth of dried prunes, reflecting a robust 22.6% uptick compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 6.4%, with an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 113.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.5%.

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

The partner structure for dried prune exports in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Algeria contributed 7.4% of exports in value terms, Turkey 2.8%, and Switzerland 2.0%, together accounting for just 12.2% of total flows, with no single country achieving a dominant share.

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

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

Imports dried prunes to Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Europe's imported dried prune volume reached 87 554 tonnes, indicating a controlled 4.2% improvement over the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 84 012 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 92 355 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile led as the top supplier of dried prunes to Europe with 42.4% of imports in kind, followed by the United States at 12.3% and Argentina at 7.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 61.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, Europe's cross-border shipments of dried prunes have increased. In 2020, import volume amounted to 272.8 million US dollars, showing a moderate 8.5% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 251.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Chile was the leading market for dried prune imports in value terms with 38.3%, followed by the United States at 19.3% and Argentina at 5.6%. This core group represented 63.2% of total import flows.

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

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