Ireland: Dried Prune Market 2025

Dried Prune Market Size in Ireland

After two years of growth, the Irish dried prune market decreased by -5.9% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Dried Prune Production in Ireland

In value terms, dried prune production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. Dried prune production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Dried Prune Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2022, overseas shipments of dried prunes decreased by -74.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 432%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, dried prune exports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 267%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for dried prune exports from Ireland, accounting for a 90% share of total exports. Moreover, dried prune exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Cyprus (X kg), more than tenfold. Malta (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK stood at +5.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cyprus (0.0% per year) and Malta (+117.2% per year).

It was followed by Malta, with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK amounted to +14.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cyprus (0.0% per year) and Malta (+124.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average dried prune export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 104% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a strong increase. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Bahrain ($X per ton) and Malta ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cyprus ($X per ton) and the UK ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+8.3%).

Dried Prune Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2022, purchases abroad of dried prunes decreased by -18.5% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

In value terms, dried prune imports dropped remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +45.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Chile (X tons) constituted the largest dried prune supplier to Ireland, accounting for a 43% share of total imports. Moreover, dried prune imports from Chile exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Chile amounted to +82.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-3.6% per year) and the United States (+1.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest dried prune suppliers to Ireland were Chile ($X), France ($X) and Vietnam ($X), together accounting for 69% of total imports.

Chile, with a CAGR of +94.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average dried prune import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, dried prune import price increased by +42.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 39%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+14.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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