Plums and sloes market in Luxembourg

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plums and sloes in Luxembourg showed significant variability from 2018 to 2021. After reaching 902.9 t in 2019, consumption volume declined to 823.5 t in 2020 and further to 689.5 t in 2021.

Market volume recovered to 771 t in 2022, a year marked by spring frosts in the neighboring South-West France region that reduced plum supply and impacted prices, influencing the Luxembourg market through regional trade. A stronger expansion followed in 2023, with the market growing to 883.4 t. This surge was supported by the launch of the 'Schouluebstprogramm' 2023-2024, a public scheme encouraging local fruit producers to supply schools, alongside regulatory changes in public procurement that favored domestic suppliers and boosted local plum production to 300 t.

In 2024, new measures came into effect, including a tax exemption for small-scale distillers on the first 50 litres of pure alcohol from fruits like plums, and the adoption of a quality certification law for agricultural products with an official logo to enhance consumer recognition. Concurrently, global plum production faced downward pressure due to unfavorable weather, potentially affecting import availability and prices in Luxembourg.

Production plums and sloes in Luxembourg

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

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

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2020, showing an 8.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Luxembourg produced 190.0 t of plums and sloes, marking a strong 11.8% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.0%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 at 639.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Luxembourg's plums and sloes production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 429.1 K $ US, representing a dramatic 31.2% improvement versus the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 759%, with a compound annual growth rate of 104.8%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Luxembourg

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of plums and sloes from Luxembourg increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Luxembourg exported 149.8 t, constituting a sharp 50.1% increase compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 99.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Belgium consistently accounted for 83.5% of total exports in kind, indicating a high degree of market concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2018, then peaked in 2020, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Luxembourg's export value amounted to 338 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 76.3% rise relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 156 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred that same year at 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Belgium concentrated the majority of exports in value terms for plums and sloes from Luxembourg, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Luxembourg

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Luxembourg's import volume of plums and sloes stood at 783.3 t, equivalent to a 5.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 698.2 t, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 832.7 t. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (25.5% of imports in kind), Germany (18.7%), and Belgium (16.4%) were the main suppliers of plums and sloes to Luxembourg, together comprising 60.6% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Luxembourg's import value of plums and sloes totalled 1 649 K $ US, which is 2.9% more compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets — France, Belgium, and Germany — together accounted for 58.0% of total imports in value terms of plums and sloes to Luxembourg.

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

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