Prunes: traders worried about supply glut

November 9, 2023 at 10:49 AM , Der AUDITOR
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SACRAMENTO. Dried prune prices are higly attractive for US growers. Yet, this is fuelling concerns that the market will take a similar turn as almonds or walnuts.

US growers happy

As global supply squeezes prompted international prices to rise in the last two years US growers also raised their rates. Trouble is also that many more trees may be planted. Although it will take some time for these trees to turn productive, a supply glut similar to the ones witnessed many times in the last twenty years will be the inevitable consequence. For the market it is easy to sell 70,000-90,000 mt without pressure, but anything bigger will make it impossible to sustain prices. US prune production ranges at 68,000-70,000 mt this year and the quality is good.

Imports from Chile 50% up

Germany's total prune imports reached 10,439 mt in 2022/2023. This is 5% up on 2021/2022. As shipments from Chile and Serbia rose by 50% shortfalls in shipments from other important trading partners were compensated for. Shipments from the USA, France and Turkey, for instance, declined notably.

Prune imports, Germany (mt)

Country

2021/22

2022/23

Diff.

Chile

3,878

5,842

50.6%

USA

2,785

1,519

-45.5%

Serbia

617

933

51.2%

France

522

365

-30.1%

Turkey

373

352

-5.6%

Netherlands

527

350

-33.6%

Bulgaria

228

155

-32.0%

Austria

19

150

689.5%

Uzbekistan

226

147

-35.0%

Philippines

170

141

-17.1%

Others

567

485

-14.5%

Total

9,912

10,439

5.3%

Federal Statistical Office of Germany / Sep-Aug

HS Code 08132000 Dried, prunes

 

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