Plums and sloes market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh plums and sloes in Sweden experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Volume grew from 4 243 tonnes in 2018 to 4 625 tonnes in 2019, then declined to 4 304 tonnes in 2020 before surging sharply to a peak of 5 623 tonnes in 2021. The following two years saw a contraction, with the market falling to 4 844 tonnes in 2022 and 4 281 tonnes in 2023.

The rapid expansion in 2021 was supported by seasonal availability and consumer preferences for fruits like sloes that require frost to become edible, which influenced harvesting patterns and stimulated demand. Health trends emphasizing the benefits of plums, such as bone-strengthening properties for menopausal women and anti-inflammatory effects, contributed to sustained consumer interest throughout the period.

After the peak, market volume receded in 2022 and 2023 without specific disruptive events. Domestic production varied, while import levels, which constitute the bulk of supply, decreased. The traditional cultivation in southern and central Sweden and use in both fresh and processed forms provided a stable foundation for local consumption.

Production plums and sloes in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Sweden produced 190.0 tonnes of plums and sloes, marking a 24.0% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 24%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with no change recorded.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Import levels fluctuated 1.8 times between the low of 2018 and the high of 2017. In 2020, Sweden exported 17 tonnes of plums and sloes, representing a 30.1% decrease from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 14 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 45.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 70.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, Germany, and Norway remained the leading destinations for Sweden's exports of plums and sloes in kind. Denmark accounted for 40.3% of exports, Germany for 20.7%, and Norway for 10.6%, with these three countries together representing 71.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden's exports of plums and sloes in value terms reached 37 thousand US dollars, showing a notable reduction of 24.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 49.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -20.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 42.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 15.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark, Bunkers, and Germany continued to be the main buyers of plums and sloes from Sweden in value terms. Denmark accounted for 35.6% of exports, Bunkers for 17.3%, and Germany for 16.3%, with these three destinations jointly forming 69.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Sweden's imports of plums and sloes in kind amounted to 4 131 tonnes, indicating a moderate decline of 6.1% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.1%, with a CAGR of -3.9%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 008 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 13.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Germany stood out as the main sources for Sweden's imports of plums and sloes in kind. Italy accounted for 35.3% of imports, Spain for 19.2%, and Germany for 16.8%, with these three countries together representing 71.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden's imports of plums and sloes in value terms reached 6 802 thousand US dollars, amounting to a rise of 30.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 230 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 16.8%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Germany were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of Sweden's imports of plums and sloes in value terms. Italy accounted for 27.5% of imports, Spain for 19.9%, and Germany for 18.9%, with these three countries together holding a combined share of 66.2% of total import flows.

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

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