Fresh grapes market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Swedish grape production rose from 8.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 10.1 thousand tons in 2023, driven by the expansion of commercial viticulture. New vineyards were established, focusing on cold-climate-adapted varieties like Solaris and Rondo, supported by investments in production equipment and food-approved facilities. Regulatory adjustments in 2021 further facilitated this growth by adapting rules for viticulture and wine production sites.

The fresh grape market volume peaked at 433.9 thousand tons in 2019 due to a surge in imports, then declined to 386.6 thousand tons by 2023. A shift toward local production and consumption, noted in 2020, reduced import dependence. In 2022, soaring inflation and sharply higher costs for raw materials and energy pressured the market, contributing to lower import volumes and affecting smaller producers.

Consumer preferences evolved, with growing interest in new wine segments such as orange wine made from grapes with skin contact during fermentation. This trend, along with demand for diverse grape varieties, spurred innovation in Swedish viticulture, though the fresh grape market faced challenges from broader economic pressures.

Production fresh grapes in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

Northern Europe's fresh grape production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 884 tonnes of fresh grapes, representing a 1.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Exports fresh grapes from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, fresh grape exports from Northern Europe rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 24.1 thousand tonnes, surging by 61.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest point was in 2019, with exports at 14.9 thousand tonnes, marking the largest decline of 26.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, fresh grape exports from Northern Europe were distributed across numerous markets. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (16.9% of exports in volume), Belarus (7.5%), and Germany (3.1%)—collectively accounted for only 27.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of fresh grape exports from Northern Europe amounted to 50 million US dollars, showing a significant increase of 14.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 4.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of fresh grape exports from Northern Europe was spread across many countries. The Netherlands (13.9% of export value), Belarus (4.5%), and Germany (3.3%) together made up just 21.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fresh grapes to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, fresh grape imports into Northern Europe totaled 407.4 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 7.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 404.0 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 440.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.9%.

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

The import structure for fresh grapes in Northern Europe from 2017 to 2020 was highly diversified. The top three suppliers—South Africa (20.9% of import volume), Spain (15.9%), and the Netherlands (8.1%)—combined for only 44.8% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of fresh grape imports into Northern Europe reached 1 027 million US dollars, up by 3.4% year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 993 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 057 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of fresh grape imports into Northern Europe was widely distributed among partner countries. South Africa (22.1% of import value), Spain (16.7%), and the Netherlands (7.8%) together accounted for only 46.5% of total import flows.

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

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