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The World’s Best Import Markets for Strawberries

strawberry market

The World’s Best Import Markets for Strawberries

When it comes to importing strawberries, there are several countries that dominate the global market. These countries not only have a high demand for strawberries but also possess the necessary infrastructure and resources to import and distribute this fruit efficiently. In this article, we will explore the top import markets for strawberries and delve into key statistics that highlight their significance in the industry. According to data from the IndexBox market intelligence platform, the world’s top 10 import markets for strawberries in terms of import value in 2022 are as follows:

1. United States – $1.1 billion

2. Canada – $434.4 million

3. Germany – $351.2 million

4. United Kingdom – $261.2 million

5. France – $198.6 million

6. Netherlands – $125.6 million

7. Italy – $100.1 million

8. Belgium – $95.1 million

9. Hong Kong SAR – $81.5 million

10. Austria – $73.9 million

These figures indicate the substantial import value of strawberries in these countries, reflecting their strong consumer demand for this fruit.

1. United States

As the largest import market for strawberries, the United States holds a significant share of the global import value. With an import value of $1.1 billion in 2022, the country’s demand for strawberries remains robust. This can be attributed to various factors such as its large population, diverse culinary culture, and the popularity of strawberries in various food products.

2. Canada

Canada ranks second in terms of import value for strawberries, with $434.4 million imported in 2022. This indicates a consistently strong demand for strawberries among Canadian consumers. The country’s colder climate and shorter strawberry-growing season drive the need for imports to meet the demand throughout the year.

3. Germany

Germany takes the third spot with an import value of $351.2 million in 2022. The country has a well-established agricultural industry and a high consumer preference for fresh produce. The demand for strawberries remains steady, not only for fresh consumption but also for use in desserts, jams, and other food products.

4. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom imports strawberries worth $261.2 million, making it the fourth-largest import market. The country’s population and strong agricultural trade contribute to its significant demand for strawberries. The popularity of strawberries as a versatile ingredient in desserts, beverages, and other food products also drives its import value.

5. France

France imports strawberries worth $198.6 million, securing its fifth position among the top import markets. The country’s culinary tradition places great emphasis on the use of fresh and high-quality ingredients, which includes strawberries. French consumers appreciate strawberries in various forms, making it an essential import market for this fruit.

6. Netherlands

With an import value of $125.6 million, the Netherlands ranks sixth in the list of top import markets. The country has a highly developed horticultural sector and serves as a major distribution hub for fresh produce in Europe. Strawberries are in high demand within the country and also serve as a crucial export commodity.

7. Italy

Italy stands at seventh place with an import value of $100.1 million. Despite being renowned for its own agricultural production, Italy’s demand for strawberries exceeds its domestic supply. Consequently, the country relies on imports to fulfill the preferences of Italian consumers throughout the year.

8. Belgium

Belgium imports strawberries worth $95.1 million, securing the eighth position in the global import market. The country has a strong preference for fresh produce and offers a significant market for strawberries. Importing strawberries ensures a steady supply to meet the demands of Belgian consumers.

9. Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong SAR imports strawberries worth $81.5 million and ranks ninth on the list. Despite its small size, Hong Kong SAR has a well-developed food industry that caters to the demands of its dense population. The import value of strawberries highlights the fruit’s popularity and usage in various culinary applications within the region.

10. Austria

Austria concludes the list of top import markets with an import value of $73.9 million. The country’s demand for strawberries is primarily driven by its affluent population and their high preference for fresh, high-quality produce. Importing strawberries ensures a consistent supply for Austrian consumers.

These top import markets play a crucial role in the global strawberry trade, driving demand and shaping industry trends. By understanding the import values and key statistics of these countries, industry professionals can make informed decisions and strategize their operations accordingly. IndexBox market intelligence platform provides valuable insights into these import markets and facilitates data-driven decision-making for businesses operating in the strawberry industry. With its comprehensive database and accurate statistics, the platform offers a reliable resource for understanding market dynamics and planning effective strategies.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform  

strawberry exports

Spain Remains the Export Leader in the Global Strawberry Market

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Spain – Strawberries – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Due to the Covid-related restrictions, there was a 2.3% drop in strawberry exports from Spain in 2020. Despite this, Spain keeps its position as an export leader in the global strawberry market. Most Spanish strawberries are marketed in Germany, the UK, France, and other European countries.

Exports from Spain

Strawberry exports from Spain declined to 287K tonnes in 2020, which is down by -2.3% against the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2007 to 2020. Spain comprises near 33% of the global strawberry exports in physical terms.

In value terms, strawberry exports stood at $671M in 2020. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2007 to 2020. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when exports increased by 23% y-o-y. Exports peaked at $704M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, exports failed to regain momentum.

Germany (100K tonnes) was the main destination for strawberry exports from Spain, with a 35% share of total exports. Moreover, strawberry exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (41K tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by France (40K tonnes), with a 14% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany totaled +4.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of export growth: the UK (+5.9% per year) and France (-4.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for strawberry exported from Spain were Germany ($220M), the UK ($116M) and France ($82M), with a combined 62% share of total exports. Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

The average strawberry export price stood at $2,339 per tonne in 2020 (IndexBox estimates), growing by 3% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the average export price increased by 17% y-o-y. The export price peaked at $2,678 per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2020, the countries with the highest prices were the UK ($2,859 per tonne) and Poland ($2,507 per tonne), while the average price for exports to Italy ($2,005 per tonne) and Belgium ($2,028 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Poland, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

strawberry

EU Strawberry Market Reached $3.8B and Is Set To Continue Moderate Growth

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Strawberries – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the strawberry market in the European Union amounted to $3.8B in 2018, rising by 1.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations over the period under review. Strawberry consumption peaked in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of strawberry consumption in 2018 were Germany (233K tonnes), Poland (203K tonnes) and the UK (183K tonnes), together comprising 51% of total consumption. Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Romania, Greece, Portugal, Austria and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of strawberry consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Greece, while strawberry consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($819M), the UK ($792M) and Italy ($360M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2018, together comprising 52% of the total market. Poland, France, Spain, Romania, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Portugal and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

The countries with the highest levels of strawberry per capita consumption in 2018 were Poland (5,315 kg per 1000 persons), Belgium (2,900 kg per 1000 persons) and Germany (2,844 kg per 1000 persons).

Market Forecast to 2030

Driven by increasing demand for strawberry in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.4M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production in the EU

In 2018, approx. 1.3M tonnes of strawberries were produced in the European Union; standing approx. at the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. In 2015, strawberry production reached its peak volume of 1.4M tonnes but from 2016 to 2018 it failed to regain its momentum. The general positive trend in terms of strawberry output was largely conditioned by a mild expansion of the harvested area and measured growth in yield figures.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of strawberry production in 2018 were Spain (345K tonnes), Poland (196K tonnes) and Germany (142K tonnes), together accounting for 54% of total production. The UK, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of strawberry production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Greece, while strawberry production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area

In 2018, approx. 103K ha of strawberries were harvested in the European Union; reducing by -1.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the strawberry harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. In that year, the strawberry harvested area attained its peak level of 111K ha. From 2014 to 2018, the growth of the strawberry harvested area failed to regain its momentum.

Yield

The average strawberry yield stood at 12 tonne per ha in 2018, flattening at the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

Exports in the EU

In 2018, the amount of strawberries exported in the European Union totaled 476K tonnes, coming down by -3.8% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. Over the period under review, strawberry exports reached their maximum at 515K tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure. In value terms, strawberry exports totaled $1.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Spain represented the main exporter of strawberries exported in the European Union, with the volume of exports amounting to 279K tonnes, which was approx. 59% of total exports in 2018. The Netherlands (70K tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 15% share, followed by Belgium (9.5%) and Greece (6.2%). Italy (14K tonnes), Germany (12K tonnes) and France (11K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Spain increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2007 to 2018. At the same time, Greece (+19.9%), the Netherlands (+6.2%) and Belgium (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +19.9% from 2007-2018. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to strawberry exports. By contrast, Italy (-2.2%) and France (-7.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2018, the share of Spain, the Netherlands and Greece increased by +15%, +7.1% and +5.3% percentage points, while France (-2.8 p.p.) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($694M) remains the largest strawberry supplier in the European Union, comprising 52% of total strawberry exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($261M), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 13% share.

Export Prices by Country

The strawberry export price in the European Union stood at $2,810 per tonne in 2018, picking up by 2.9% against the previous year. In general, the strawberry export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices for strawberries attained their peak figure at $3,298 per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($4,000 per tonne), while Greece ($1,385 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports in the EU

In 2018, the amount of strawberries imported in the European Union stood at 428K tonnes, falling by -8.1% against the previous year. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. In that year, strawberry imports attained their peak of 471K tonnes. From 2013 to 2018, the volume of strawberry imports remained at a lower figure. In value terms, strawberry imports amounted to $1.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, Germany (103K tonnes), distantly followed by the UK (52K tonnes), France (47K tonnes), Italy (36K tonnes), Belgium (35K tonnes), the Netherlands (27K tonnes) and Portugal (20K tonnes) were the largest importers of strawberries, together mixing up 75% of total imports. The following importers – Spain (15K tonnes), Austria (14K tonnes), Poland (13K tonnes), the Czech Republic (13K tonnes) and Sweden (7.6K tonnes) – together made up 15% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Poland, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest strawberry importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($281M), the UK ($204M) and France ($173M), together accounting for 49% of total imports. These countries were followed by Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, which together accounted for a further 41%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the strawberry import price in the European Union amounted to $3,141 per tonne, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Sweden ($4,036 per tonne), while Portugal ($2,113 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform