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Prunes: Germany's purchases from Chile increase

July 26, 2023 at 12:52 PM , Der AUDITOR
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SANTIAGO/SACRAMENTO. Although Germany's prune imports were down in May 2023, shipments from Chile more than doubled in that period.

Germany's imports from Chile up 60%

Total prune imports to Germany in May 2023 were 553 mt, compared to 627 mt in May 2022. Imports from the USA and Serbia have roughly halved compared to the previous year to 108 mt and 64 mt respectively. As a result, import growth from countries such as Chile (+138% to 195 mt), Turkey (+96% to 63 mt) and France (+32% to 50 mt) was not enough to make up for this deficit.

Despite the weaker May, imports of prunes to Germany this season are nevertheless above last year's level. Between September 2022 and May 2023, the import volume totalled 7,734 mt, an increase of a good 4% compared to the previous year. While shipments from Chile and Serbia were significantly higher than last year, imports from countries such as the USA, the Netherlands, France, Turkey and Uzbekistan were down overall.

Prune* imports, Germany, in mt

Supplier

2021/22

2022/23

Diff.

Chile

2,644

4,218

59.5%

USA

2,198

1,013

-53.9%

Serbia

420

804

91.4%

Netherlands

462

327

-29.2%

France

430

282

-34.4%

Turkey

326

264

-19.0%

Uzbekistan

187

125

-33.2%

Others

741

701

-5.4%

Total

7,408

7,734

4.4%

Federal Statistical Office of Germany / Sep-May

*08132000 Dried prunes

Prices are stable

Experts at the California Prune Board are optimistic about this year's crop and estimate prune production at around 68,000 mt in 2023. Still, stocks are expected to be tight for another year in a row.

Meanwhile, Chilean prunes from the 2023 crop are now available in the European market and prices are holding at current levels. In the absence of new goods and already low crops in the previous year, prices for French and Californian prunes continue to move at a higher level.

Prunes

Type

EUR/kg

Unpitted, 30/40, Chile

4.80

Pitted, 30/40, Chile

4.65

CIF Spain

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