Prunes: China poses challenges for Chile
October 22, 2026 at 2:17 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Good prospects for the new crop
Chilean plum growers are optimistic about the progress of the new crop. As Jorge Sánchez, Grower Relations Manager at Sunsweet, states in a report by Chileprunes, fruit set is developing evenly and flowering is more uniform – both of which are favourable conditions for a promising crop. Last year, the picture was significantly more mixed. According to Sánchez, the greatest differences are evident in orchards where hydrogen cyanamide is used. In agriculture, cyanamide serves as a fertiliser and plant growth regulator by breaking dormancy in fruit trees. The use of plant protection products containing this active ingredient is not authorised in the EU; however, cyanamide may be produced in the EU for export. Around 70% of D’Agen plum orchards in Chile are now treated with hydrogen cyanamide, with the result that the ripening process begins around ten days earlier than in untreated orchards.
Rising costs for fertilisers, plant protection products and labour are putting pressure on Chile’s plum cultivation. Sunsweet and Chileprunes are therefore working on alternatives to chemical treatments. Stricter requirements in international markets, particularly in Europe, are accelerating this development. Furthermore, there is a shortage of experienced workers for pruning, which has a significant impact on fruit size and quality. Many older, experienced workers are approaching retirement, whilst the younger generation shows less interest in field work.
China poses new challenges for Chile’s prune industry
China is a key market for Chilean prunes and, at the same time, a growing challenge. Increasing domestic production could intensify competition, though the acreage and future volumes remain unclear. Rising Chinese shipments could put pressure on Chilean growers’ turnover. This makes consistent fruit sizes and high quality all the more important for Chilean prunes in order to differentiate themselves in the international market. The first exporters are also reorienting their strategies to avoid becoming dependent on China as their main buyer, by focusing, amongst other things, on European markets such as France and Germany and their specific requirements.
Slight price reductions for prunes from Chile
On the European spot market, prices for Chilean Ashlock prunes were most recently at EUR 3.52/kg EXW Poland, marking a slight decline. Meanwhile, Moldovan prunes, 40/50 unpitted, from the 2025 crop, are currently quoted at EUR 2.25/kg FCA Netherlands.
EU imports continue to decline
Between 1 January 2026 and 18 October 2026, EU countries imported a total of 31,428 mt (-3% year-on-year) of prunes, worth EUR 117.155 million (+11% year-on-year). The average import price, at EUR 3.73/kg, was significantly higher than last year’s level of EUR 3.28/kg.
Whilst shipments from Chile rose by 13% year-on-year to 21,460 mt, imports from countries such as the USA (-6% to 3,080 mt) and Moldova (-6% to 2,242 mt), as well as from Argentina (-28% to 1,907 mt), Uzbekistan (-19% to 1,109 mt) and Serbia (-62% to 810 mt) failed to match last year’s figures.
The main buyers within the EU were Poland (+43% to 7,520 mt) and Germany (-28% to 4,750 mt), followed by Spain (+0.7% to 4,360 mt) and Italy (+17% to 4,310 mt).
|
EU prune imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2025 |
2026 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
18,954 |
21,460 |
13.2% |
|
USA |
3,287 |
3,080 |
-6.3% |
|
Moldova |
2,393 |
2,242 |
-6.3% |
|
Argentina |
2,664 |
1,907 |
-28.4% |
|
Uzbekistan |
1,370 |
1,109 |
-19.1% |
|
Serbia |
2,106 |
810 |
-61.5% |
|
Others |
1,543 |
820 |
-46.9% |
|
Total |
32,317 |
31,428 |
-2.8% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-18/10 08132000 Dried prunes |
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