Peaches and nectarines market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh peaches and nectarines in Western Europe expanded to 736 thousand tons in 2019, supported by sustained demand even as regional production faced challenges. A late start to the season and insufficient supply led to a 17% drop in France's key Provence region in 2018, while Italy simultaneously reduced its planted area by 15%. These constraints on domestic output were met with robust import volumes, facilitating the overall market growth.

After a contraction to 586 thousand tons by 2021, the market entered a recovery phase, reaching 660 thousand tons in 2023. This rebound was underpinned by a stronger European harvest, particularly in France where cooperatives invested in grading equipment to offset labor shortages. In Italy, institutional campaigns promoted domestic fruit consumption, and breeders focused on taste segmentation through new varieties to build consumer loyalty. Although French distributors maintained a preference for Spanish fruit, adjustments in trade flows helped meet demand.

Production peaches and nectarines in Western 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

Peach and nectarine production in Western Europe has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 236.4 thousand tons, marking a 15.0% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 186.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 16.7%.

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

Exports peaches and nectarines from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 81.5 thousand tons of peaches and nectarines, showing a slight decrease of 3.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 32%, averaging an annual decline of 12.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 65.6 thousand tons, which experienced the sharpest drop of 45.3%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 29.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's peach and nectarine exports were distributed across a wide range of buyers. Switzerland accounted for 12.2% of exports in volume, Italy for 7.1%, and Poland for 6.5%, together making up 25.8% of the total. Many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Western Europe's peach and nectarine exports in value terms rebounded in 2020. The region exported 134.0 million US dollars worth of these fruits, a moderate increase of 4.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, however, exports decreased by 21.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 127.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 21.0% in 2018.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Western Europe's peach and nectarine exports in value were not heavily concentrated in a few markets. Switzerland represented 13.9% of exports by value, Italy 5.5%, and Poland 4.7%, collectively accounting for 24.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports peaches and nectarines to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe imported about 510.5 thousand tons of peaches and nectarines, a 17.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 24.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the dominant source for Western Europe's peach and nectarine imports in volume, holding a 75.1% share of total flows. Other markets contributed relatively modest amounts.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's peach and nectarine imports in value terms reached 882.9 million US dollars, a strong increase of 16.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 6.4%, averaging 2.1% growth per year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 756.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.0% that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain accounted for 73.0% of Western Europe's peach and nectarine imports by value. The remaining volume was spread across many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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