Prunes: exports to China plummet
April 20, 2026 at 3:57 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
China no longer tops the chart
Chile is the world’s largest producer of prunes with exports covering around fifty countries. While China has been the leading buyer in recent years, recent export data for January to February 2026 issued by the Chilean Customs Office show a different trend. Poland, in fact, surpassed China as leading destination with shipments climbing to 1,791 mt. By, contrast shipments to China fell by a stunning 63% to 978 mt as compared with the same period last year. European countries account for around 48% of Chile's total export volume.
|
Prune exports, Chile |
||
|
Destination |
kg |
USD |
|
Poland |
1,790,991 |
6,078,520 |
|
China |
978,241 |
3,211,178 |
|
Mexico |
835,069 |
2,879,576 |
|
UK |
727,265 |
2,330,428 |
|
Germany |
578,737 |
2,304,075 |
|
USA |
477,075 |
2,236,035 |
|
Turkey |
474,915 |
1,704,731 |
|
Spain |
432,774 |
2,292,800 |
|
Italy |
417,232 |
1,770,514 |
|
Australia |
355,981 |
1,428,423 |
|
Others |
2,244,203 |
8,295,803 |
|
Total |
9,312,483 |
34,532,083 |
|
Aduanas / Jan-Feb |
||
Slight downturn in price
The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council pegged Chile’s prune production for 2025/2026 at 74,000 mt, only slightly more than the 73,390 mt produced in 2024/2025. Expectations for the 2026 crop are positive, with a bountiful crop of in good quality anticipated. European spot market prices have fallen slightly since the end of March. Ashlock prunes are currently trading at EUR 3.63/kg (USD 4.27/kg) FCA Poland and Elliot prunes at EUR 3.35/kg (USD 3.35/kg) FCA.
|
Prunes, Chile |
|
|
Type |
EUR/kg |
|
Ashlock |
3.63 |
|
Elliott |
3.35 |
|
FCA Poland, 10 kg carton |
|
EU buys more in Chile
EU imports have declined notably in recent months and totalled 10,109 mt worth EUR 35.7 million (USD 42 million) between 1 January and 12 April. This marks an 11% decline in terms of volume and a 1% uptick in terms of value on the same period last year. The average import prices have risen from EUR 3.12/kg (USD 3.67/kg) in 2025 to EUR 3.53/kg (USD 4.16/kg) in 2026.
Imports form Chile have risen by 16% and account for 60% of the EU's total import volume. Shipments from Moldova and the USA are also up, whereas imports from Argentina, Uzbekistan and Serbia are down. At 2,650 mt shipments to Poland have risen threefold since last year. Imports to Italy are also 13% up at 1,530 mt, whereas Germany is sporting a 36% decline to 1,110 mt.
|
EU prune imports (mt) |
|||
|
Partner |
2025 |
2026 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
5,249 |
6,074 |
15.7% |
|
Moldova |
1,146 |
1,277 |
11.4% |
|
USA |
858 |
1,008 |
17.5% |
|
Argentina |
1,478 |
738 |
-50.1% |
|
Uzbekistan |
813 |
364 |
-55.2% |
|
Serbia |
1,170 |
328 |
-72.0% |
|
Turkey |
301 |
177 |
-41.2% |
|
Iran |
45 |
42 |
-6.7% |
|
China |
16 |
25 |
56.3% |
|
South Africa |
22 |
23 |
4.5% |
|
Others |
249 |
53 |
-78.7% |
|
Total |
11,347 |
10,109 |
-10.9% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-12/04 HS Code 08132000 Dried prunes |
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