Peaches and nectarines market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh peaches and nectarines in Southern Europe fluctuated between 2 792 thousand tons in 2018 and 2 221 thousand tons in 2021, with a peak of 2 980 thousand tons in 2019. In the early part of the period, the introduction of new stone fruit varieties sometimes failed to match consumer preferences, affecting product acceptance.

From 2022, production recovered after previous adverse climatic events, though drought and late frosts continued to pressure yields. Rising production costs, driven by inflation in fertilizers, energy, and labor, contributed to higher prices. Consumer demand shifted towards fresh, healthy, and sustainably packaged products, supporting market volume growth to 2 562 thousand tons in 2023. Regulatory changes, such as the EU's Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, also began to reshape industry practices.

Production peaches and nectarines in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of peaches and nectarines, 2017-2020

World map of production of peaches and nectarines, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Europe produced 3 864 K t of peaches and nectarines, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined to 3 353 K t in 2020, representing a significant 13.2% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 13.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.6%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 5.1%.

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

Exports peaches and nectarines from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of peaches and nectarines from Southern Europe continued to decline for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 880 K t, reflecting a 14.4% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 33.3%, averaging an annual decline of 12.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export destinations for peaches and nectarines from Southern Europe were highly diversified. Germany accounted for 26.2% of exports in kind, France for 11.6%, and Poland for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 44.7% of total export flows, with the remaining 55.3% distributed among a wide range of other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of peach and nectarine exports from Southern Europe reached its lowest point at 1 129 M $ US. However, by 2020, export value rebounded to 1 250 M $ US, showing a notable increase of 10.7% compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 279 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of peach and nectarine exports from Southern Europe was relatively evenly distributed across destinations. Germany contributed 29.2% of export value, France 12.6%, and the United Kingdom 7.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 49.6% of total export flows, indicating a broad spread among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports peaches and nectarines to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, imports of peaches and nectarines into Southern Europe increased in 2020. Import volume reached 150 K t, up 3.7% from 145 K t in 2019, which was the lowest point in the period. Over the 2017–2020 timeframe, imports decreased by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 7.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of peaches and nectarines into Southern Europe originated from numerous markets. Even the top three suppliers—France, Germany, and Austria—collectively represented only 9.8% of total imports in kind, highlighting the diversity of sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of peach and nectarine imports into Southern Europe hit a low of 191 M $ US. By 2020, import value surged to 240 M $ US, marking a substantial 25.7% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 20.1%, averaging an annual rise of 6.3%. The most pronounced decline was in 2019, when import value dropped by 18.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, key suppliers of peaches and nectarines to Southern Europe included Germany (4.3% of import value), France (3.7%), and Chile (1.6%). However, their combined share amounted to just 9.6% of total import value, with the remaining 90.4% spread across a wide array of other partners.

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

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