Prunes Market Report 20.07.24

Year-to-date prune shipments have outpaced the previous two years, driven by a robust 2023 season and significant demand from China. Typically, new crop shipments commence in April. Chile has increased its unpitted prune exports by 15% compared to pitted prunes until week 15. This has been the trend since the 2022 season.

The primary markets for pitted prunes until week 15 in 2024 have been Poland, China, and The United States, with increases of 114%, 55%, and 268%, respectively. This accounts for an additional 1,682 tons compared to 2023. Analysts note an overall increase in exported volume during the first quarter of 2024 across most top markets for pitted prunes, attributed to the carryover volume from the 2023 season.

Regarding unpitted prunes in the first quarter of 2024, Chilean exports to China surged by over 400% compared to the same period in 2023. Conversely, exports to Mexico and Brazil decreased by 85% and 71%, respectively, until week 15. For the 2024 harvest, Chile anticipates 65,000 tons of new crop volume, plus an estimated carryover of 14,000 tons from 2023. Despite a lower-than-expected harvest volume and a decrease in larger sizes, around 85% of the 2024 season's crop is committed as of June 2024.

via Superfruit