Dried prunes market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried prune market in Western Asia saw its volume rise from 11.2 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 14.8 thousand metric tons in 2019. This initial expansion was supported by the sector's adoption of good agricultural practices, quality standards, and certification processes, which enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, market diversification with the introduction of varieties like pears, quince, and plums broadened the product range and consumer appeal.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, marketing campaigns emphasizing the health benefits of dried fruits helped sustain consumer demand, contributing to stable market volumes around 15.5–15.6 thousand metric tons in 2020 and 2021. The global trend toward healthy, plant-based snacking also provided underlying support for consumption during this period.

A significant increase in exports, particularly to Far Eastern and Asia-Pacific markets, redirected supply away from the domestic market in 2023, reducing internal availability and pulling the market size down to 16.0 thousand metric tons. Entering 2024, new e-commerce and domestic trade regulations came into effect, while exchange-rate fluctuations and inflation began influencing production costs and consumer prices.

Production dried prunes in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried prunes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried prunes, 2017-2020

Western Asia's dried prunes production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 7 162 tonnes of dried prunes, which represents a 3.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 848 tonnes, marking a significant decline of 10.0% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 18.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Western Asia's dried prunes production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 21 327 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest year-over-year decrease of 2.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 26.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.2%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 21 856 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 14.6%.

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

Exports dried prunes from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 314 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 2 353 tonnes, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, Western Asia's dried prunes export volume amounted to 1 832 tonnes, down by 22.2% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 25.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 79.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 14.5% of exports, Iran for 13.2%, and Bangladesh for 12.3%, with these three countries together representing only 39.9% of total flows. The remaining 60.1% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values varied 1.7 times from the low in 2018 at 4 287 thousand US dollars to the high in 2019 at 7 405 thousand US dollars. In 2020, foreign dried prunes supplies from Western Asia reached 5 455 thousand US dollars, down by 26.3% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 72.7%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. Germany accounted for 16.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 11.6%, and Iran for 11.2%, with these three countries jointly representing only 39.1% of total flows. The remaining 60.9% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports dried prunes to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, dried prunes import volumes in Western Asia declined. In 2020, imports reached 10 230 tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 70.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.4%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 248 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 54.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan contributed 18.7% of imports in kind, Iran 17.1%, and the United States 14.8%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 50.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's dried prunes import value was recorded at 19 853 thousand US dollars, which is 13.9% above the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 24.2% of imports in value terms, France for 18.5%, and Chile for 14.8%, with these three countries jointly representing 57.5% of total flows.

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

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