Dried prunes market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian dried prune market volume grew from 8 064 tonnes in 2018 to 8 953 tonnes in 2020. During this period, COVID‑19-related packaging supply chain delays postponed the enforcement of EU Regulation 2018/775 on origin labeling to January 2021.

Market volume dropped to 8 080 tonnes in 2021 after the origin‑labeling rule took effect, particularly affecting prunes packaged in Italy with imported fruit. In 2022, volume rebounded sharply to 9 298 tonnes as a production crisis in the Italian fruit sector—driven by climate extremes, rising costs, and phytosanitary issues—led to increased imports.

A steep decline to 7 064 tonnes followed in 2023, coinciding with the activation of a coordinated control system for agri‑food traceability and labeling enforcement. Marketing campaigns for premium Californian prunes continued to target Italian consumers. In 2024, European policy proposals aimed at supporting agricultural flexibility and climate adaptation were introduced.

Production dried prunes in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked 22nd globally in dried prune production.

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 603.6 t of dried prunes, marking a modest 3.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 37.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, at 36.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Dried prune production in Italy increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 3 344 K $ US, representing a 19.3% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 11.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 536 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 33.0%.

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

Exports dried prunes from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Dried prune exports from Italy declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy exported 324 t of dried prunes, a 28.9% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 66.1%, with a CAGR of -30.2%.

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

The export structure in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of partners. Slovenia (13.9% of exports in kind), Germany (12.6%), and Czechia (10.8%) together accounted for 37.2% of total flows, while the remaining 62.8% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Dried prune deliveries from Italy declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy exported 1 795 K $ US of dried prunes, marking a substantial 12.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 51.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for dried prunes in value terms. Sweden (16.0% of exports in value terms), Slovenia (13.8%), and Czechia (11.6%) together accounted for 41.5% of total exports, while many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports dried prunes to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Imported dried prune volumes in Italy increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 673 t, equivalent to a moderate 4.6% rise year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.6%, with a CAGR of -3.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 028 t, which also saw the largest decline of 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile (43.8% of imports in kind), the United States (16.7%), and France (12.6%) stood out as the main sources for imports in kind, together representing 73.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Dried prune shipments to Italy from abroad increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy imported a total of value_last_year K $ US of dried prunes, marking a 5.4% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 28 566 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 20.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Chile (35.0% of imports in value terms), the United States (28.0%), and France (12.3%) formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, together representing 75.2% of total flows.

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

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