Prunes: updated production estimates
March 11, 2026 at 4:52 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Deficit despite upward correction
The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) published updated estimates for global prune production in 2025/26 this week. Compared to the data announced in autumn 2025, the result is expected to have risen by 4.7% to 200,250 mt. However, this would still represent an 8.4% decline in production compared to the 2024/25 season.
According to ChilePrunes, a good crop is expected in Chile, but higher temperatures have caused some fruit to fall from the trees early, and production estimates remain unchanged for the time being.
The situation is different in the USA, however. The California Prune Board has revised its production estimate upwards compared to previous expectations, but there is still a deficit compared to last year. The same applies to Argentine prune production, which was initially estimated at 18,000 mt and is now expected to reach 25,000 mt.
|
Global prune production, in mt |
|||
|
Country |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
73,390 |
74,000 |
0.8% |
|
USA |
68,900 |
64,000 |
-7.1% |
|
France |
30,500 |
27,000 |
-11.5% |
|
Argentina |
38,000 |
25,000 |
-34.2% |
|
Serbia |
4,800 |
5,000 |
4.2% |
|
Australia |
820 |
3,000 |
265.9% |
|
Italy |
1,600 |
2,000 |
25.0% |
|
South Africa |
541 |
250 |
-53.8% |
|
Total |
218,551 |
200,250 |
-8.4% |
|
INC, March 2026 |
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Prices have risen
Prices for Chilean prunes have recently increased on the European spot market. Ashlock prunes are currently trading at EUR 3.65/kg FCA Poland, while Elliot prunes are priced at EUR 3.36/kg FCA.
|
Prunes, Chile |
|
|
Type |
EUR/kg |
|
Ashlock |
3.65 |
|
Elliott |
3.36 |
|
FCA Poland, 10 kg box |
|
EU increases imports by 20%
EU countries significantly increased their prune imports in 2025. A total of 43,355 mt (+20.4% compared to the previous year) of prunes worth EUR 143.190 million (+15.3% compared to the previous year) were imported from third countries last year.
The average import price fell by EUR 0.15/kg to EUR 3.30/kg. With 26,111 mt, not only did around 60% of shipments come from Chile, but imports from the South American country also increased by 27.8% compared to the previous year. The USA (-9% to 3,868 mt), Moldova (+16.1% to 3,733 mt), Argentina (+4.6% to 3,604 mt) and Serbia (+13.4% to 2,588 mt) followed as other notable trading partners.
|
EU prune imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2024 |
2025 |
Diff. |
|
Chile |
20,436 |
26,111 |
27.8% |
|
USA |
4,249 |
3,868 |
-9.0% |
|
Moldova |
3,209 |
3,733 |
16.3% |
|
Argentina |
3,447 |
3,604 |
4.6% |
|
Serbia |
2,282 |
2,588 |
13.4% |
|
Uzbekistan |
1,009 |
1,728 |
71.3% |
|
Turkey |
764 |
914 |
19.6% |
|
Others |
607 |
809 |
33.3% |
|
Total |
36,003 |
43,355 |
20.4% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-31/12 08132000 Dried prunes |
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