Prunes: global production declines by more than 18%
November 13, 2024 at 12:55 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Crops are not better than expected
Back in May, after the first forecasts for prune production in 2024/2025 were published during the congress of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, a global decline in yield compared to the 2023/2024 crop became apparent. These figures have now been partially corrected in the INC's latest report.
According to estimates by the California Prune Board, US prune production met expectations, although growers had to contend with a prolonged hot spell and a delayed harvest. Production totalled 65,000 mt, 20.7% down on last year. Sufficient hours of cold weather combined with a good water supply created favourable conditions for the development of the upcoming prune production in Chile. There has also been no significant frost damage so far, so although production is estimated to be higher than in the May report at 60,000 mt, this would still be a year-on-year decline of 11.8%.
France's crop forecasts for 2024/2025 were initially at last year's level, but have now been cut to 30,000 mt, which would be a whopping 25.9% less than last year, whereas the already optimistic forecasts for Australian prune production have improved significantly once again. Production there is expected to increase by 144.4% year-on-year to 2,200 mt.
|
Global prune production, in mt |
|||
|
Country |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
USA |
82,000 |
65,000 |
-20.7% |
|
Chile |
68,000 |
60,000 |
-11.8% |
|
France |
40,500 |
30,000 |
-25.9% |
|
Argentina |
33,000 |
25,000 |
-24.2% |
|
Serbia |
5,000 |
4,800 |
-4.0% |
|
Australia |
900 |
2,200 |
144.4% |
|
Italy |
1,450 |
1,600 |
10.3% |
|
South Africa |
604 |
750 |
24.2% |
|
Total |
231,454 |
189,350 |
-18.2% |
|
INC, October 2024 |
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Chilean exports reach almost 65,000 mt
The main export country Chile exported a total of 64,888 mt of prunes worth USD 183.018 million to 76 different countries between January and September 2024. China is by far the most important buyer, with 23,590 mt worth USD 49.823 million, more than a third of the export volume going there, followed by Poland (5,595 mt), with the majority of imports being re-exported to neighbouring countries. Direct shipments from Chile to Germany reached a volume of 2,644 mt worth USD 9.946 million during this period.
|
Prune exports, Chile |
|||
|
Destination |
mt |
Million USD |
FOB USD/mt |
|
China |
23,590 |
49.823 |
2,112 |
|
Poland |
5,595 |
14.737 |
2,634 |
|
Mexico |
4,996 |
13.493 |
2,701 |
|
USA |
3,048 |
16.668 |
5,469 |
|
UK |
2,697 |
7.673 |
2,845 |
|
Turkey |
2,659 |
7.439 |
2,798 |
|
Germany |
2,644 |
9.946 |
3,762 |
|
Spain |
2,240 |
9.200 |
4,107 |
|
Australia |
2,113 |
7.160 |
3,389 |
|
Italy |
2,060 |
7.511 |
3,646 |
|
Others |
13,246 |
39.368 |
2,972 |
|
Total |
64,888 |
183.018 |
2,821 |
|
Customs statistics, Chilean government |
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EU imports down across the board
Since the beginning of this year (1 January - 11 November 2024), a total of 30,199 mt of prunes have been imported into the EU from third countries, representing a year-on-year increase of 17.1%. This is partly due to significantly lower shipments from the main producing countries Chile (-13.8% to 16,904 mt) and the USA (-17.0% to 3,833 mt). EU imports from Moldova (-2.4% to 2,845 mt) and Serbia (-39.6% to 1,649 mt) were also down, while shipments from Argentina (+0.9% to 3,066 mt) were at a similar level to the previous year. The main importers in the EU were Spain (-13.4% to 4,500 mt), Italy (+16.1% to 4,040 mt) and Germany (-30.7% to 3,970 mt).
|
EU prune imports, in mt |
|||
|
Supplier |
2023 |
2024 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
19,621 |
16,904 |
-13.8% |
|
USA |
4,619 |
3,833 |
-17.0% |
|
Argentina |
3,040 |
3,066 |
0.9% |
|
Moldova |
2,916 |
2,845 |
-2.4% |
|
Serbia |
2,730 |
1,649 |
-39.6% |
|
Others |
3,499 |
1,902 |
-45.6% |
|
Total |
36,425 |
30,199 |
-17.1% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-11/11 08132000 Dried prunes |
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