Prunes: EU increases imports from Chile
October 1, 2025 at 12:21 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
EU imports on the rise again
In the first nine months of this year (1 January to 28 September 2025), the EU imported a total of 28,007 mt of prunes worth EUR 91.845 million from third countries, representing a 7.2% increase in import volume year-on-year. However, the import value fell by 6.8% due to the lower average price. At EUR 3.28/kg, the average import price during this period was significantly lower than last year (EUR 3.52/kg).
Shipments from Chile rose significantly in the summer, with EU imports at 15,827 mt around 9% above the previous year's volume. Imports from Argentina and Serbia also increased. In contrast, exports from the USA and Moldova were significantly lower.
Germany imported around 5,970 mt of prunes during the above-mentioned period, which is 76.1% more than at this time last year. While shipments to Poland also increased (+6.2% to 3,580 mt), Spain (-2.7% to 3,990 mt), Italy (-20.7% to 3,070 mt) and the Netherlands (-29.9% to 1,970 mt) recorded a decline in imports.
Chilean Elliot prunes were recently offered on the European spot market at prices of EUR 2.89/kg FCA Poland.
|
EU prune imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2024 |
2025 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
14,522 |
15,827 |
9.0% |
|
USA |
3,597 |
2,885 |
-19.8% |
|
Argentina |
2,441 |
2,468 |
1.1% |
|
Moldova |
2,521 |
2,071 |
-17.9% |
|
Serbia |
1,394 |
1,986 |
42.5% |
|
Others |
1,653 |
2,770 |
67.6% |
|
Total |
26,128 |
28,007 |
7.2% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-28/09 08132000 Dried prunes |
|||
Larger fruits, lower yields
The latest official reports indicate that California's prune production is expected to reach 59,000 mt this year. Market players, however, were significantly more optimistic, estimating production at at least 65,000 mt, which would still be around 10,000 mt less than in 2024. According to reports from Chileprunes, the relatively mild summer ensured that the fruit were able to reach a good size and a high sugar content. Nevertheless, they went on to say that Californian prune growers preferred not to expand their acreage. Instead, older trees on the plantations would be replaced by younger, higher-yielding ones.
Chile fears competition from China
According to Bruno Ceroni, commercial director of Goodvalley, a company affiliated with Chileprunes, the prune industry is currently experiencing “a moment of a certain balance” between supply and demand. Global consumption capacity is around 200,000-220,000 mt per year, while recent production has fluctuated due to climatic influences in several growing regions.
China remains the driving force behind Chile's export business. Ceroni explains that Chile exported around 29,800 mt of prunes to China in 2024, which corresponds to around one third of total exports. The 2024 season was also very successful for fresh plums: around 109,000 mt were shipped to China between January and April. This duality, i.e. the export of fresh and dried fruit, gives producers flexibility, even if it does entail risks should this market weaken.
Looking ahead to 2030, Ceroni reckons a stable baseline scenario as long as global supply remains moderate. Overall, however, he warns that competition could become tougher if China decides to market prunes on a large scale itself. Therefore, he concludes, it is crucial to remain disciplined: vision for the future, market diversification and corporate sustainability are the most important factors.
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