Plums and sloes market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for plums and sloes in Iran experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, opening the period at 279.6 thousand metric tons and closing at 315.9 thousand metric tons. In the early years, climatic factors including drought and pest infestations in key producing provinces placed pressure on domestic supply and contributed to price volatility, even as production initially increased. A sharp rise in exports in 2020 temporarily reduced domestic availability, leading to a market contraction that year.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a sustained recovery phase. This growth was primarily driven by a shift in consumer behavior, as increased awareness of the health and skincare benefits of black plums boosted demand. The market expansion was further supported by the introduction and diversification of product offerings, such as dried black plums, which attracted new consumer segments.

Production plums and sloes in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran maintained the 5th position globally in terms of plum and sloe production volume.

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Iran produced 342.6 K t of plums and sloes, marking a 4.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 3.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 305.6 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 359.2 K t. The most significant drop was observed in 2018 at 14.0%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2019, reaching 17.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Iran's plum and sloe production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 242.4 M $ US, reflecting a 7.5% year-over-year decrease. However, from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 262.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 32.3%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Iran

Exports in kind, t

Iran's plum and sloe export volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 70 906 t, representing a substantial 69.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 58.7%, with a CAGR of 16.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 26 031 t, which also experienced the most significant decline of 41.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq remained the primary destination for Iran's plum and sloe exports in volume terms, accounting for 88.9% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed across various other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, plum and sloe exports from Iran totaled 50 164 K $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 63.9% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 16 863 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 26.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, rising by 81.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Iraq dominated Iran's plum and sloe exports in value terms, capturing 87.6% of total flows, with the remainder fragmented among other markets.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Iran

Desk-based market analysis indicates that Iran did not import any plums and sloes from 2017 to 2020.