Plums and sloes market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh plums and sloes in Belarus underwent substantial shifts between 2018 and 2023. It started at nearly 30 000 t in 2018, then contracted sharply to around 17 200 t in 2019. A partial recovery followed, bringing the market to approximately 19 600 t in 2021, before another downturn reduced it to about 14 500 t by 2023.

Overall, the market size more than halved from its 2018 peak. The period after the initial drop showed temporary stabilization, but the trend reversed again from 2022, leading to a market volume of 14 468 t in 2023.

In 2024, key developments included increased raw material procurement by the processing industry, indicating stronger demand for plums and sloes. Furthermore, revised customs regulations effective April 1 restricted duty-free imports for personal use, which may influence supply flows.

Production plums and sloes in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Production levels varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2018, representing an 8.4-fold difference. In 2020, Belarus produced 15 632 tonnes of plums and sloes, marking a 22.5% increase compared to the previous year. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 27 681 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 53.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 740.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports plums and sloes from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their maximum in 2017 and dropped to a minimum in 2020, showing a 7.9-fold shift. In 2020, plums and sloes exports from Belarus were recorded at 187 tonnes, down by 40.7% year-on-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 82.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 21.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated the country structure of exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports varied by a factor of 5.9, from a high in 2017 to a low in 2020. In 2020, foreign plums and sloes supplies from Belarus reached 76 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a reduction of 22.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 83.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up by 27.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia clearly dominated the list of buyers of plums and sloes from Belarus, taking 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes varied 2.1 times, from the high in 2017 to the low in 2018. In 2020, Belarus imported 3 361 tonnes of plums and sloes, constituting a steep decline of 29.5% over the past year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 373 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 52.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 100.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova (55.3% of imports in kind), Spain (11.9% of imports in kind), and Ukraine (6.2% of imports in kind) continued to be the main suppliers of plums and sloes to Belarus, jointly forming 73.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and sank to the lowest volume in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.3 times. In 2020, plums and sloes deliveries to Belarus totalled 2 629 thousand US dollars, representing an intense reduction of 35.5% year-on-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 279 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 56.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up by 78.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—Moldova, Spain, and Turkey—remained at the centre of imports in value terms, together taking 61.4% of total flows.

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

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