Eastern Europe: Apple Market 2025

Apple Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European apple market declined to $X in 2021, reducing by -8.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a mild decline. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Apple Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, apple production reduced dramatically to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 69% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Poland (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons), together comprising 76% of total production. These countries were followed by Moldova, Romania, Hungary and Belarus, which together accounted for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Moldova (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average apple yield in Eastern Europe expanded notably to X tons per ha, surging by 9.7% on the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the yield increased by 45% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the apple yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The apple harvested area stood at X ha in 2021, remaining stable against the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 3.2%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Apple Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, exports of apples in Eastern Europe surged to X tons, picking up by 28% on 2020. In general, exports, however, saw a mild descent. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, apple exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Poland represented the largest exporter of apples in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 73% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Moldova (X tons), comprising a 16% share of total exports. The following exporters - Belarus (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons) - together made up 7.1% of total exports.

Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of apples. At the same time, Ukraine (+4.4%) and Moldova (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ukraine emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +4.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Belarus (-6.6%) and the Czech Republic (-13.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Poland and Moldova increased by +6.9 and +5.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest apple supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Moldova ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Ukraine, with a 2.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Poland was relatively modest. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Moldova (+9.2% per year) and Ukraine (+9.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -6.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 39% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Ukraine ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Belarus ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Moldova (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Apple Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

For the sixth year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded decline in purchases abroad of apples, which decreased by -7.7% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 19%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, apple imports fell to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Russia was the key importer of apples in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 56% of total imports in 2021. Belarus (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by Romania (8.6%), the Czech Republic (5.7%) and Bulgaria (4.6%). The following importers - Slovakia (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) - each recorded a 6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to apple imports into Russia stood at -7.8%. At the same time, Romania (+5.5%), Bulgaria (+5.4%) and Hungary (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +5.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Slovakia (-1.1%), Belarus (-1.3%) and the Czech Republic (-3.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Romania, Belarus and Bulgaria increased by +5.7, +4.5 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported apples in Eastern Europe, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belarus ($X), with an 8.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Romania, with an 8.3% share.

In Russia, apple imports decreased by an average annual rate of -5.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belarus (-0.4% per year) and Romania (+10.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, leveling off in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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