Plums and sloes market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Southern Asian market for plums and sloes experienced a net increase in volume, rising from 463.4 thousand tons to 513.7 thousand tons. This overall growth was interrupted by a sharp decline in 2020, when market volume dropped to 458.2 thousand tons.

The market recovered rapidly in 2021, exceeding pre-2020 levels to reach 502.8 thousand tons, and continued to grow to a peak of 526.9 thousand tons in 2022. The subsequent slight contraction in 2023 brought volume to 513.7 thousand tons, still well above the 2018 baseline.

In value terms, the market expanded even more significantly, from $306.3 million to $406.4 million, suggesting underlying price increases or changes in product mix during the period.

Production plums and sloes in Southern 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 2019, Southern Asia's production of plums and sloes reached its peak at 545.0 thousand tonnes. However, this was followed by a decline to 524.7 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 488.9 thousand tonnes. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with production rising by 11.5%, while the largest decline was seen in 2018, when output fell by 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Southern Asia's production of plums and sloes experienced a downturn. In 2020, the value of this production stood at 378.6 million US dollars, marking an 8.4% decrease compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 413.4 million US dollars, which also saw the most substantial annual increase of 28.1%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 39.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 11.8%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Plums and sloes exports from Southern Asia continued to grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 70 838 tonnes, which represents a significant 65.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 792 tonnes, a year that also saw the largest decline of 42.4%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 65.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 58.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 16.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq was the primary destination for Southern Asia's plums and sloes exports in volume terms, accounting for 87.9% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for plums and sloes in Southern Asia showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2020, exports reached 51 120 thousand US dollars, a 57.6% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 17 019 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 26.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 90.6%. Overall, exports varied by a factor of three between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Iraq remained the leading market for Southern Asia's plums and sloes exports in value terms, holding an 86.0% share of total exports. The remaining volume was spread across numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of plums and sloes into Southern Asia exhibited significant fluctuations. In 2020, imports totaled 4 411 tonnes, a 29.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 311 tonnes, which also saw a decline of 11.8%. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2019, with imports soaring by 995.2%. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 14.2 between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of plums and sloes to Southern Asia in volume terms were Myanmar (46.1% of imports), the United Arab Emirates (19.8%), and China (1.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 67.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of plums and sloes into Southern Asia in value terms showed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 245 thousand US dollars, a notable 22.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 741 thousand US dollars, which also experienced a decline of 7.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 256.3%. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 4.4 between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the leading suppliers of plums and sloes to Southern Asia in value terms were the United Arab Emirates (43.5% of imports), Myanmar (20.0%), and Australia (2.9%). Collectively, these three suppliers accounted for 66.3% of total import value.

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

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