Free of charge

Prunes: optimistic outlook for production in 2022

January 27, 2022 at 2:07 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

SANTIAGO. In Chile, prune production will start soon and the prospects for the new crop are still good. Nevertheless, many traders are refraining from making offers at the moment.

No carry-over stocks

Prunes for fresh consumption have already been harvested in Chile for a few weeks. Market players report that China has particularly high demand for large plums this year, which could affect the availability of large prunes. The USA also sources 99% of its plum imports from Chile. In the coming weeks, Chilean growers will start harvesting and producing prunes. Currently, the outlook is good and the 2022 prune production is estimated at 65,000-70,000 mt, which is an average result. However, there are no carry-over stocks from the 2021 crop this year. However, after heavy rains damaged the quality of fruit laid out to dry last year, traders are very cautious and are not offering the new crop for now. There are no significant positions from the previous year at origin and prices are rising in the European spot market. Both Chilean and Argentinian prunes, unpitted, 30/40 are currently being offered here for EUR 4.25/kg FCA Spain.

Prunes

Type, origin

EUR/kg

Unpitted, 30/40, Argentina/France

4.25

Pitted, 40/50, France

5.20

Unpitted, 30/40, Chile

4.25

Pitted, 40/50, Chile

5.15

FCA Spain

Germany's imports still significantly behind previous year

Germany imported a total of 2,035 mt of prunes in the first three months of the 2021/2021 season (Sep-Nov), around 45% less than in the same period of the previous year. With 981 mt, Chile was still in first place, but the difference compared to the same period last year is -42%. Shipments from the USA (-71%), France (-34%) and the Netherlands (-34%) also dropped considerably. In contrast, imports from Turkey increased by 465% to 96 mt.

Prune* imports, Germany, in mt

Country

2020/21

2021/22

Diff.

Chile

1,684

981

-41.7%

USA

1,115

323

-71.0%

Netherlands

360

239

-33.6%

France

218

119

-45.4%

Turkey

17

96

464.7%

Others

285

277

-2.8%

Total

3,679

2,035

-44.7%

Federal Statistical Office of Germany / Sep-Nov

*08132000 Dried prunes

View more
price charts

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
May 19, 2026
MANILA. Coconut producers in the Philippines, as well as in other producing countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, are watching the possible El Niño weather phenomenon with concern, as it could develop in the coming months. Rising fuel prices and limited availability are also causing problems.
Dried Fruit
May 19, 2026
AYDIN/MACAO. Global dried fig production is expected to fall this year. In Turkey, however, the outcome is expected to be similar to last year’s. The mycotoxin issue is weighing heavily on the market.
Dried Fruit
May 19, 2026
MALATYA/MACAO. According to the latest INC estimates, dried apricot production in 2026/27 is expected to be more than 50% higher than in the previous season, provided Turkey is not once again faced with unexpected weather events. Hailstorms are already causing concern among local growers.
Dried Fruit
May 19, 2026
MACAO. In 2026/2027 the supply situation for table dates will be rather comfortable. Sudan is, in fact, the only country in which production will decline.