Plums and sloes market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for fresh plums and sloes in Argentina showed relative stability before a slight contraction to 172.3 thousand tons in 2020. This period operated under established regulations, with no major policy shifts reported.

Market volume rebounded to 175.2 thousand tons in 2021, coinciding with amendments to Articles 822 and 888 of the Argentine Food Code. These changes redefined sanitation and classification rules for fresh fruits, potentially streamlining market operations. The following year, the sector adjusted to new mandatory labeling rules for dried plums and saw growing external demand, particularly from China, which oriented production towards export markets.

By 2023, market volume eased to 173.1 thousand tons. During this time, new regulations to simplify packaging and strengthen phytosanitary traceability were published to facilitate exports, and SENASA registered new industrial processing plants, expanding sector capacity. In 2024, the industry introduced the new 'Silvana INTA' cultivar to the premium fresh fruit segment and approved a quality protocol for D’Agen dried plums, featuring the 'Alimentos Argentinos' seal to support product differentiation and export growth.

Production plums and sloes in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina ranked as the world's 11th largest producer of plums and sloes between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

World map of production of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

Argentina's production of plums and sloes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 171.8 thousand tonnes, down 2.0% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production grew by 2.9%, averaging a 1.0% annual increase. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 176.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year rise of 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Argentina's plums and sloes production value fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 107.9 million US dollars, a sharp drop of 21.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value decreased by 42.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports plums and sloes from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina exported 1 035 tonnes of plums and sloes, a steep decline of 36.0% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 895 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 114.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil and Paraguay together accounted for 88.7% of Argentina's total plums and sloes exports by volume, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, while the highest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.7 times. In 2020, Argentina's plums and sloes exports totalled 650 thousand US dollars, down 48.5% from 2019. The maximum value was 1 784 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also experienced the largest increase of 79.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil dominated Argentina's plums and sloes exports in value terms, accounting for 73.2% of the total, while the remaining flows were spread across multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2018, while the peak was in 2020, with a 5.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Argentina imported 1 579 tonnes of plums and sloes, a steep increase of 90.9% year-over-year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 306 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 78.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 170.3%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Chile and Spain were the primary sources for Argentina's plums and sloes imports by volume, jointly capturing 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values were characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest value was in 2018, while the highest was in 2020, with a 5.1-fold variation. In 2020, Argentina imported plums and sloes worth 1 579 thousand US dollars, marking an intense uptick of 130.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 377 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 75.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Chile and Spain were the key markets for Argentina's plums and sloes imports in value terms, with Chile accounting for 55.7% and Spain for 44.1% of total flows, together forming 99.8% of the total.

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

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