Plums and sloes market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market for fresh plums and sloes in Eastern Asia showed stable physical volume, fluctuating between 6.9 million and 7.1 million tons. In value terms, the market reached a high of $10.7 billion in 2020 before easing to $9.7 billion by 2023.

In 2022, a noted rise in import and export volumes for plums and sloes signaled active demand and supply chains, aligning with a slight market volume increase. The 2023 launch of a new domestic cherry-plum variety, combining cherry sweetness with plum texture, enriched product offerings even as the total market volume saw a minor contraction.

By 2024, industry factors pointed to growing fruit supply which softened plum prices, while the market's development focus shifted toward digitalization, branding, and international expansion, as seen in companies securing first export orders to Southeast Asia.

Production plums and sloes in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

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

Plum and sloe production in Eastern Asia declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 7 061 thousand tons. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 6 920 thousand tons, marking a modest year-over-year decrease of 2.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's plum and sloe production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, the value hit its lowest point at 9 496 million US dollars, declining by 5.6% that year. By 2020, production value had risen to 10 603 million US dollars, reflecting a controlled year-over-year increase of 9.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 5.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Eastern Asia's plum and sloe exports declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 142.3 thousand tons, surging by 66.2% that year. By 2020, exports had dropped to 124.8 thousand tons, representing a robust reduction of 12.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 73.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 20.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia were the largest buyers of plums and sloes from Eastern Asia, accounting for 30.7%, 2.6%, and 1.4% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 34.7% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, Eastern Asia's plum and sloe export value declined. In 2019, exports reached their highest value at 195.5 million US dollars, increasing by 66.5% that year. By 2020, export value had fallen to 191.2 million US dollars, corresponding to a small drop of 2.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 79.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated plum and sloe exports from Eastern Asia in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 31.1% of exports, while Thailand and India contributed 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively. Together, these three markets represented only 34.0% of total export value, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Plum and sloe imports into Eastern Asia showed significant volatility during this period. In 2017, imports were at their lowest point, then surged by 71.5% in 2019 to reach a peak of 170.4 thousand tons. This created a 2.1-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. By 2020, imports had declined to approximately 131.1 thousand tons, down by 23.1% compared to the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Chile dominated Eastern Asia's plum and sloe imports in kind, accounting for 82.8% of total flows. Other markets played a less significant role, forming a smaller perimeter in the import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, Eastern Asia's plum and sloe import value declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 353.3 million US dollars, rising by 61.4% that year. By 2020, import value had dropped to 277.0 million US dollars, corresponding to a decline of 21.6% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 39.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile was the primary source for plum and sloe imports into Eastern Asia in value terms, accounting for 75.7% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of partners in the import structure.

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

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