Dried prunes market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the dried prunes market in North Macedonia experienced considerable volatility. Market volume grew from 864 tons in 2018 to a peak of 1,087 tons in 2022, before contracting sharply to 697 tons in 2023. This peak was driven by a surge in domestic production to 994 tons in 2022, an increase of more than 60% from the previous year, coupled with a significant drop in imports.

The 2022 expansion occurred alongside a regional emphasis on healthy food products and eco-friendly production. During this period, projects emerged for building modern processing facilities focused on value-added and health-oriented prune products, reflecting broader consumer trends that supported market growth. These developments contributed to the shift toward greater domestic output.

This growth proved temporary, as production fell by over 48% in 2023, leading to the overall market decline. While imports recovered somewhat that year, they were insufficient to offset the drop in local supply, resulting in a substantially smaller market volume compared to 2022.

Production dried prunes in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia ranked 23rd globally in dried prune production.

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

The market displayed volatility during this period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 3.1-fold increase. In 2020, North Macedonia produced 672.6 t of dried prunes, marking a 12.1% rise from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 212.0% surge.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried prunes from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

Export trends were unstable over this timeframe. Volumes varied fourfold, with the minimum recorded in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, dried prune exports from North Macedonia totaled 29.6 t, a 23.0% decrease from 2019. The peak value was 38.4 t in 2019, which also saw the largest increase at 147.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania (22.7% of exports in kind), Bulgaria (18.1%), and Germany (17.0%) consistently led the export structure, together accounting for 57.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Export values bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference. In 2020, North Macedonia's dried prune export value reached 56.7 K $ US, an 85.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 31.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria (25.0% of exports in value terms), Albania (24.4%), and Serbia (20.7%) were the main export markets, collectively representing 70.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried prunes to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, dried prune imports into North Macedonia declined. In 2020, the country imported 229.1 t of dried prunes, a modest 3.6% drop from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 28%, equivalent to an 8.6% annualized rate. The maximum volume was 237.6 t in 2019, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia dominated the import structure in kind, holding a 93.2% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, North Macedonia's imported dried prune value totaled 581.8 K $ US, a 3.2% increase from 2019. Over 2017-2020, imports rose by 26.2%, with a CAGR of 8.1%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 22.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Serbia was the primary supplier of dried prunes to North Macedonia, accounting for 89.2% of total import value, while other partners had relatively minor shares.

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

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