Alternatives wanted for bulk peaches and nectarines

The global trade in peaches and nectarines appears to have stopped growing. In ten years, the trade grew from 1.4 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2014. Trade remained at that level in the following years. The total value of the global export in peaches and nectarines now amounts to about two billion euro. Production is still increasing globally, but that’s only because China continues to grow. According to FAO figures, the Chinese production is more than 12 million tonnes. In all other countries combined, production, based on FAO figures, has been fairly stable at a level of ten million tonnes for years.

The majority of cross-border global trade occurs within the EU. Spain is good for 40 per cent of the global export trade. Italy is number two, with a share of 12 per cent, and Greece is number three with eight per cent. Chile is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, with a share of five per cent. Germany is the largest import country for peaches and nectarines globally, with a share of 12 per cent. Russia is number two, and France, traditionally the most important production country, is the number three importer nowadays. Remarkably, Italy is also an important importer of peaches and nectarines nowadays. 

Peaches and nectarines aren’t just traded fresh, but it’s also a large processed product. Regarding international trade, Greece is the most important country, followed, at a distance, by China, Spain, Chile and South Africa.

Compared to many other fruit and vegetable products, the Netherlands plays a very modest role in the trade of peaches and nectarines. This is due to the fact that a large part of the trade in that product, which has a relatively short shelf life, takes place within Europe, and not via the sea. The intercontinental trade towards Europe, which does exist, partly goes through the Netherlands. This concerns import from Chile and South Africa. Chile supplies by far the most peaches and nectarines to the US, but in Europe, the Netherlands is the most important. South African product, for that matter, is sent to the UK more than to the Netherlands. Annually, the Netherlands imports about 30,000 tonnes of nectarines and 20,000 tonnes of peaches. Spain is by far the largest supplier, Chile is number two.

The international trade outside of the European season doesn’t amount to much throughout the year. June, July and August are great months, but May and September also see much trade. Other than that, just the trade in October is of a decent size. In the other months, it concerns modest amounts that are traded internationally. This image is mostly decided by Spain and Italy.

The Spanish export season starts earlier than that of Italy. In 2016, Spain exported more than 10,000 tonnes in April. In ten years, the export in April might have grown enormously, but it doesn’t even concern two per cent of the annual export of Spain. In total, the Spanish export of peaches and nectarines increased by four per cent per year. In all months except June, export grew considerably. The Spanish export season might be longer, but 80 per cent of it is still realised in the months of June until September.

While the Spanish export grew by an average of four per cent per year in the past ten years, that of Italy decreased by an average of four per cent per year in that same period. That decrease can be completely attributed to the record months of July, August and September. In the other months, export did grow over the past ten years, mostly in May. But just as with Spanish export in April, the Italian export in May doesn’t amount to much with only three per cent of the yearly total. All in all, the export countries are trying everything to advance the export season. And though successful, the amounts concerned are as yet too modest in size compared to the great months. 

Nowadays, Spain is by far the most important international supplier of peaches and nectarines. That has been the case since 2006. Before that, Italy was the largest. In the late 1980s, the export of Spanish peaches gradually started. In the 90s, Italy was the superpower with an export of more than 500,000 tonnes. By now, that is just 300,000 tonnes. Around the turn of the century, France was also quite large, with an export of 100,000 tonnes. Around that time, the US was also large, with an export of about 130,000 tonnes.

In recent years, Spain managed to expand its export considerably. More has been planted in recent years. The area continues to expand southwards, so that harvesting can be done earlier. Spanish export figures from recent years show this, although the development is slow.

In recent years there has clearly been an increase in the export of Spanish peaches, while the export of nectarines stopped growing in 2013. The rise of other varieties (including flat ones) are definitely the cause of this. Furthermore, the Spaniards are thoroughly searching for other types of varieties of peaches and nectarines, to find an alternative for (low-priced) bulk product. Germany, France and the UK are important buyers of Spanish product, but producer Italy also buys a lot from Spain. Relatively speaking, much is sent to Italy at the start of the season, but the bulk of it is sent in the months during which Italy produces a lot itself.

Italian product mostly to Germany, and Greek to northern neighbours

Italy is very dependent on Germany for its export. Other important buyers are Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. Greece is also an important producer and exporter of peaches and nectarines. Greece exports more peaches than nectarines, compared to Spain and Italy. But they do focus more on nectarines, of which export is increasing, while that of peaches is stable. Romania and Bulgaria are important buyers of Greek product. 

Outside of the EU, Chile is the largest exporter of peaches and nectarines. The Chilean export has been stable for a long time, at a level of 60 to 70,000 tonnes of nectarines and 35 to 40,000 tonnes of peaches. About 60 per cent of the peaches is sent to the US. For nectarines, the US is also the most important buyer, but the importance of this country is smaller (45 per cent). The Netherlands is the second buyer of Chilean nectarines. South Africa is another supplier of meaning from the Southern Hemisphere. The UK and the Netherlands are the most important buyers.

Globally, Germany is the most important importer, with amounts of 170 to 180,000 tonnes of nectarines and 110 to 120,000 tonnes of peaches. Spain and Italy are also major suppliers. Noticeable large import countries are France and Italy. They import even more than the UK. In 2016, Russia was still the second import country, but because of the boycott for, initially, peaches and nectarines from EU countries, and in 2016 also from Turkey, Russian import declined from 260 to 190,000 tonnes. A number of years ago, Russia imported 120,000 tonnes from Spain, 50,000 tonnes from Greece, 20,000 tonnes from Italy and 10,000 tonnes from Turkey. All combined, it concerns at least 200,000 tonnes of peaches and nectarines. Last year, 100,000 tonnes of product from boycott countries still managed to find its way to Russia through Belarus. The question now is if that short cut is still usable on that scale now. The remaining gap has only partially been filled in. For example, more was imported from China, Serbia and a number of other former Soviet republics.

Fruit & Vegetable Facts
Jan Kees Boon
+31654687684
fruitvegfacts@gmail.com