Plums and sloes market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh plums and sloes in Western Asia increased from 502.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 553.2 thousand tonnes in 2023, representing overall growth across the six-year period. This expansion was not linear, with a notable surge to 561.5 thousand tonnes in 2020 followed by a dip in 2021 before reaching a peak of 576.6 thousand tonnes in 2022.

In value terms, the market exhibited a different pattern, declining from $724.3 million in 2018 to $614.4 million in 2020. A recovery ensued, lifting the market value to $672.2 million by 2022, before a slight contraction to $653.0 million in 2023. These movements indicate significant fluctuations in average prices, which did not always align with physical volume trends.

In 2024, import volume reached 80.6 thousand tonnes while exports fell to 30.4 thousand tonnes. Broader economic conditions during the year, including accommodative monetary policies and a strong technology sector performance in Asian markets, supported investment and distribution channels for agricultural products such as plums in the region.

Production plums and sloes in Western 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

Western Asia's production of plums and sloes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 526.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.8% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of plums and sloes production in Western Asia was 569.4 million US dollars, showing little change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 6.5%, with an average annual rate of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 694.6 million US dollars, following a 29.9% increase that year. However, in 2019, the value dropped by 18.0%, representing the largest decline during this timeframe.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Western Asia's exports of plums and sloes have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 57 476 tonnes, a sharp rise of 63.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 56.6%, averaging 16.1% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 31 906 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.1% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three main markets for plums and sloes exports from Western Asia were Russia, Egypt, and Germany, which together accounted for 29.8% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of plums and sloes exports from Western Asia was 62.2 million US dollars, up 53.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 47.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 40.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure for plums and sloes from Western Asia was highly diversified. Russia accounted for 25.2% of export value, Egypt for 14.9%, and Germany for 3.7%, totaling 43.8% of exports. The remaining 56.2% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Western Asia's imports of plums and sloes have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 92 930 tonnes, a 6.6% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.4%, averaging a 2.9% annual decline. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 60 012 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 40.8% that year. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 45.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, plums and sloes imports into Western Asia came from a wide range of sources. Iran supplied 33.7% of import volume, South Africa 9.1%, and Egypt 3.6%, together making up 46.4% of total imports. The remaining 53.6% was distributed among many smaller suppliers.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Asia's imports of plums and sloes have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value was 107.2 million US dollars, up 9.6% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 76.3 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 27.8% that year. In 2019, import value increased by 28.2%, the largest rise during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of plums and sloes to Western Asia by value were Iran with 28.0%, South Africa with 17.8%, and Spain with 6.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.9% of total import value.

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

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