Plums and sloes market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Spanish deliveries dominated the German plums and sloes market, followed by Belgian and Dutch supplies, although Spanish batches occasionally faced freshness issues. The following year, domestic production fell to 52 140 t due to unfavorable weather conditions, pest infestation, and rain that caused fruit splitting, leading to a harvest below the previous year's level. This reduction in supply, coupled with a 16.6% contraction in demand, decreased the market volume to 91 959 t.

Market volume fluctuated over the next three years, rising to 99 376 t in 2020 before dropping to 90 494 t in 2021 and recovering slightly to 94 702 t in 2022.

By 2023, Spanish imports continued to lead the market, yet freshness problems persisted, and the market volume declined further to 88 715 t. In 2024, revised UNECE standard FFV-29 for plum marketing and quality control was published, setting new packaging and quality requirements. Simultaneously, legislative changes such as the deposit obligation for single-use plastic bottles for certain milk drinks came into effect, which may influence the food retail environment.

Production plums and sloes in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 27th globally in the production of plums and sloes.

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

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

The market for plums and sloes in Germany experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Production hit its lowest point in 2017, then surged to a peak in 2018, representing a 2.9-fold increase. In 2020, Germany produced 51 320 tonnes of plums and sloes, marking a 1.6% decline compared to 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 70 120 tonnes. The largest year-over-year decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with growth of 193.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market for plums and sloes in Germany showed notable volatility during this period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the output of plums and sloes in Germany was valued at 79 956 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 88 888 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 20.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with growth of 147.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports plums and sloes from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of plums and sloes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 624 tonnes, down 4.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 812 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with growth of 19.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Switzerland, and France were the key partners for Germany's exports of plums and sloes in volume terms. Austria accounted for 20.6% of exports, Switzerland for 18.6%, and France for 15.8%. Together, these three countries represented 55.0% of Germany's total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany exported plums and sloes worth 7 205 thousand US dollars, an increase of 10.1% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 546 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 7 368 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland played leading roles in Germany's exports of plums and sloes in value terms. Austria accounted for 20.8% of exports, Switzerland for 15.1%, and Poland for 14.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 50.8% of Germany's total export flows.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of plums and sloes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 43 313 tonnes, reflecting a gain of 17.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 43 313 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 29.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and South Africa formed the key group of partners for Germany's imports of plums and sloes in volume terms. Spain accounted for 28.0% of imports, Italy for 23.6%, and South Africa for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 60.2% of Germany's total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Germany's imports of plums and sloes increased. In 2020, imports reached 80 400 thousand US dollars, up 43.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 56 108 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and South Africa were the main sources for Germany's imports of plums and sloes in value terms. Spain accounted for 33.8% of imports, Italy for 20.9%, and South Africa for 14.3%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 69.0% of Germany's total import flows.

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

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