Plums and sloes market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh plums and sloes in Southern Europe fluctuated between 850 thousand tons and 1 142 thousand tons from 2018 to 2023. After a period of modest growth, the market contracted sharply by 20% in 2021 to 850 thousand tons. A strong recovery of 34% followed in 2022, bringing volume to 1 142 thousand tons, before another decline of 16% occurred in 2023.

In value terms, the market exhibited a different trajectory. It fell by 19% in 2019 to USD 1 049 million, then rose by 28% in 2020 to USD 1 339 million. Following a period of stabilization, the market value grew to USD 1 473 million by 2023. By 2024, adverse climatic conditions such as drought and flowering issues were affecting plum production in key Spanish regions, while increased international demand and competition from other global suppliers shaped the market environment.

Production plums and sloes in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

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

Southern Europe's production of plums and sloes saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, the region produced 1 192 K t, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.8%. Looking at the 2017-2020 period overall, production increased by 30.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 1 202 K t, while the most significant annual increase occurred in 2018 at 23.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of plums and sloes production in Southern Europe reached 1 492 M $ US, representing a 25.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 42.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 16.9%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 at 36.6%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 158.8 K t of plums and sloes, which was 12.1% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 13.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 4.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 148.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 19.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Brazil were among the largest buyers of plums and sloes from Southern Europe, accounting for 19.6%, 10.1%, and 6.4% of exports in kind respectively. However, even combined, these three markets represented just 36.1% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of plums and sloes exports from Southern Europe increased in 2020, reaching 198.8 M $ US—an 11.0% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 179.0 M $ US, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 10.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Brazil were key buyers of plums and sloes from Southern Europe in value terms, representing 21.0%, 13.3%, and 7.1% of exports respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for just 41.5% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 27.1 K t of plums and sloes, reflecting a strong 19.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 22.7 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 18.2%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 27.7 K t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, plums and sloes imports to Southern Europe came from a wide range of markets. Chile, South Africa, and the Netherlands were notable suppliers, accounting for 9.4%, 7.2%, and 5.7% of imports in kind respectively. Together, these three countries represented only 22.3% of total imports, with the remaining 77.7% coming from many smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of plums and sloes imports to Southern Europe stood at 45.6 M $ US, marking a strong 22.5% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 37.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 23.9%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 48.9 M $ US.

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

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. Chile, South Africa, and the Netherlands were the top suppliers, accounting for 17.6%, 11.6%, and 10.2% of imports respectively. Together, these three countries formed just 39.4% of total import value, with the remaining 60.6% split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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