Prunes: Chile’s half-year exports down by 13%
July 27, 2026 at 12:53 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Experts remain confident
Despite the optimistic market sentiment, Chile’s prune exports are currently lagging behind last year’s figures. Following the end of the drying season, exports rose noticeably from May onwards – and particularly in June. With 10,623 mt of prunes worth USD 36.6 million, more than a third of exports were recorded in the final month of the first half of 2026 alone. In its latest report, the Chileprunes Association interprets this as a sign of strong exports during the second half of the year.
In total, 29,704 mt of prunes worth USD 107 million were exported from Chile between January and June; by contrast, in the first half of 2025, the figure had already reached 34,069 mt worth USD 110 million. The main buyer was China, followed by Poland (USD 13.9 million) and Mexico (USD 10.9 million). These three countries imported a total of 43% of Chile’s total shipments in the first half of 2026. Europe has once again established itself as one of the most important markets this year. In addition to Poland, five other European countries feature in the top 10 buyers of Chilean prunes, including Spain (USD 8.9 million), Germany (USD 6.7 million) and Italy (USD 5.4 million).
Higher EU imports from Chile and the US
In the first half of 2026, imports of prunes into the EU fell significantly. From 1 January to 19 July 2026, EU countries imported a total of 18,202 mt of prunes (-11.4% year-on-year) worth EUR 67.005 million (+0.6% year-on-year) from third countries. The average import price during this period, at EUR 3.68/kg, was significantly above last year's level (EUR 3.24/kg).
Shipments from Chile rose by 6% year-on-year to 11,228 mt and accounted for around 62% of total imports. Shipments from the USA and Moldova also increased, whilst deliveries from Argentina, Uzbekistan and Serbia were well below those of the same period last year.
The main buyer within the EU was Poland, which imported around 3,800 mt of prunes (+83%) during the period mentioned above; shipments to Italy also rose by 15% year-on-year to 2,630 mt. By contrast, imports to Germany fell (-31% to 2,740 mt), as did those to Spain (-5% to 2,530 mt) and the Netherlands (-6% to 1,540 mt).
On the European spot market, Chilean Ashlock prunes from the new crop are currently being offered at prices of EUR 3.44/kg FCA Poland; in mid-July, prices were still at EUR 3.60/kg.
|
EU prune imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2025 |
2026 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
10,634 |
11,228 |
5.6% |
|
USA |
1,981 |
2,111 |
6.6% |
|
Moldova |
1,779 |
1,795 |
0.9% |
|
Argentina |
1,840 |
1,198 |
-34.9% |
|
Uzbekistan |
1,164 |
763 |
-34.5% |
|
Serbia |
1,861 |
599 |
-67.8% |
|
Others |
1,286 |
508 |
-60.5% |
|
Total |
20,545 |
18,202 |
-11.4% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-19/07 08132000 Dried prunes |
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