Plums and sloes market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh plums and sloes in Poland showed notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 1 646 тыс. т in 2018, consumption dipped to 1 472 тыс. т the following year, partially recovered to 1 630 тыс. т in 2021, and then fell again to 1 432 тыс. т by 2023. In value terms, the market was more volatile, rising sharply to $1 833 млн in 2021 after a significant increase in 2020, then contracting to $1 347 млн in 2022 before rebounding to $1 553 млн in 2023.

In 2024, import volumes rose to 109 тыс. т while exports decreased to 41 тыс. т. This period is characterized by growing consumer interest in seasonal and fresh produce, supported by dietary trends that promote healthy, local, and organic products. The shift in preferences toward plant-based foods and the rising popularity of sloes for processed goods like jams and liqueurs are shaping contemporary demand, alongside the expansion of online sales channels for fresh fruit.

Production plums and sloes in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), plum and sloe production reached 1 446 thousand tons in 2020, representing a 3.4% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 40.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 11.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 594 thousand tons, with that year seeing the largest annual increase of 54.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of plum and sloe production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 1 636 million US dollars in 2020, showing a substantial 24.4% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 34.1%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 10.3%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when production value decreased by 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports plums and sloes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Plum and sloe exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 31.3 thousand tons—a 12.6% increase from 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, export volumes decreased by 6.5%, averaging an annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 25.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual drop of 22.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for plums and sloes in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 10.7% of exports in volume, Latvia for 2.5%, and Austria for 2.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 15.3% of total export flows, with the remaining 84.7% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of plum and sloe exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 35.4 million US dollars—a 35.6% rise compared to the previous year. Despite this recent growth, export value declined by 10.7% over the 2017–2020 period, with an average annual decrease of 3.7%. The lowest export value was in 2018 at 23.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the sharpest annual decline of 39.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Latvia were notable but not dominant buyers of plums and sloes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Germany accounted for 18.1% of export value, Austria for 3.2%, and Latvia for 3.1%. Their combined share reached only 24.4% of total export value, indicating a broad distribution across other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports plums and sloes to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported 85.5 thousand tons of plums and sloes, marking a 14.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, import volumes fell by 17.2%, averaging an annual decline of 6.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 78.6 thousand tons, which saw the largest annual drop of 23.9%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest annual increase of 27.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017–2020, imports of plums and sloes to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in volume terms were not concentrated among a few key suppliers. Uzbekistan accounted for 8.0% of import volume, Spain for 7.1%, and Turkey for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 22.1% of total import flows, with the majority sourced from a wide range of other partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of plum and sloe imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rose for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 104.6 million US dollars—an 8.8% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest import value was in 2018 at 86.6 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decrease of 21.2%. In 2019, import value saw the highest annual increase of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

An analysis of import value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets for plums and sloes in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Turkey accounted for 9.7% of import value, Spain for 9.0%, and Chile for 8.0%. Together, these three countries made up only 26.7% of total import flows, with the remaining 73.3% coming from various other trading partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020