Dried Fruit

Prunes: EU imports up by a quarter

May 10, 2023 at 4:53 PM , Der AUDITOR
Show report in German
Play report as audio

SANTIAGO. Chilean prunes currently hold virtual monopoly position, which consolidates prices. Meanwhile, the latest EU import data show that imports from third countries increased by about a quarter last year.

Chile leads the market

Lower crops in Argentina, France and the USA last year mean that Chilean prunes have a quasi-monopoly at the moment. According to experts from Frutexsa, the fresh plum crop in Chile has an annual yield potential of 105,000-110,000 mt. A good 80,000 mt of this is available for prune production. Market players such as the experts at Catz reckon that around 60,000 mt of Chilean prunes can be produced this season. The quality of this year's crop has also been convincing so far and all sizes should be sufficiently available for the time being. Only the proportion of smaller prunes is somewhat lower, which is why the usual price difference should be smaller than in other years. However, as the season has only just begun for the Chilean dried fruit trade, suppliers are not yet feeling any sales pressure and can afford to wait and see. Thus, prices are currently stable.

Prunes, Chile

Type

EUR/kg

Unpitted, 30/40

4.70

Unpitted, 40/50

4.25

Unpitted, 40/60

4.15

Pitted, 40/60

4.75

Pitted, 50/60

4.65

FCA Spain

EU prune imports on the rise

The EU imported around 47,634 mt of prunes worth EUR 194.02 million from third countries in 2022. This represents a year-on-year increase of almost 26% in import volume, while the import value increased by as much as 64.3%. The average import price increased from EUR 3.12/kg to EUR 4.07/kg compared to the previous year. Chile remains the most important supplier to the EU with 22,546 mt, especially as imports increased by about 25% within one year. Shipments from the USA (+10% to 9,960 mt), Serbia (+19% to 4,122 mt) and Argentina (+121% to 3,922 mt) were also significantly higher than the year before.

Prune* imports, EU, in mt

Supplier

2021

2022

Diff.

Chile

18,111

22,546

24.5%

USA

9,053

9,960

10.0%

Serbia

3,477

4,122

18.6%

Argentina

1,774

3,922

121.1%

Moldova

1,895

3,275

72.8%

Uzbekistan

1,448

2,208

52.5%

Turkey

962

713

-25.9%

Ukraine

274

217

-20.8%

Iran

92

108

17.4%

Morocco

57

106

86.0%

Others

722

457

-36.7%

Total

37,865

47,634

25.8%

European Commission / Eurostat (Comext)

*08132000 Dried prunes

View more
- price charts

Are you interested in plums?
Visit our top seller pages. Here you will find exclusive market reports, offers and prices and crop data.
Find out more

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Dried Fruit
May 31, 2023
Dried apricots: export prices continue to rise
MALATYA. Dwindling stocks are pushing up export prices for Turkish dried apricots. Meanwhile, the cool and wet weather does not provide the best conditions for the fruits’ development.
Dried Fruit
May 30, 2023
Dried figs: global production to increase
AYDIN. The pollination period in Turkey will soon be over and in the coming weeks it should become clear whether the untypical weather conditions have affected the fig trees. The first crop forecasts were already announced last week.
Dried Fruit
May 30, 2023
Sultanas: INC production forecast lower than last year
MANISA. Rainstorms and hail caused flooding in rural Manisa, with an estimated 4,000 ha of land reportedly affected by the damage. Investigations are still ongoing.
Dried Fruit
May 23, 2023
Dried mulberries: harvest is delayed
IZMIR. The cool weather in Turkey caused noticeable delays in the development of the mulberries. Forecasts for the new crop are thus not available at the moment.