Market evolution: Fruit preserves (CN 2007) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of the European Union's trade in fruit preserves, encompassing jams, jellies, marmalades, purées and pastes (customs code 2007), over the period from 2015 to 2025. The analysis is based on annual trade data between the EU and non-EU countries. Overall, the period was characterized by significant value growth in both exports and imports, driven primarily by rising unit prices rather than volume increases. The EU solidified its position as a net exporter, with its trade surplus expanding substantially. The market also witnessed notable shifts in partner geography and product segment composition.

1. A Decade of Value-Led Growth: Prices Surge While Volumes Stagnate

The 2015-2025 period for EU trade in CN 2007 was defined by a stark divergence between nominal value growth and underlying quantity growth. While the headline value of trade increased dramatically, the physical volumes traded grew only marginally, indicating that price effects were the primary driver of the market's expansion.

EU exports became significantly more valuable but not much larger in volume.

EU exports to non-EU countries grew from €535.9 million in 2015 to €896.9 million in 2025, a nominal increase of 67.4%. Conversely, the exported quantity grew only 3.0% over the same period, from 248,194 tonnes to 255,749 tonnes. This resulted in a dramatic 62.4% increase in the average export price, from €2,159 per tonne to €3,507 per tonne. The General Overview confirms this trend, showing the maximum export value was reached in 2024, while the maximum quantity was recorded in 2022.

A similar, though less pronounced, price-driven trend is observed on the import side.

EU imports increased from €244.1 million to €392.7 million (+60.9%) over the period, while volumes grew by 30.7% from 99,701 tonnes to 130,292 tonnes. Import prices rose by 23.1%, reaching €3,014 per tonne in 2025. The lower price growth for imports compared to exports suggests either a different product mix or a stronger pricing power for EU exporters in third-country markets.

The EU's trade surplus widened, reinforcing its net exporter status.

The trade balance expanded by 72.8%, from a surplus of €291.8 million in 2015 to €504.3 million in 2025. The Net Import Reliance metric remained negative throughout the period, confirming the EU's status as a net exporter, and this reliance on exports deepened from -7.4% to -12.1%.

2. A Reoriented Trade Geography: The US Rises as Top Export Partner

The decade saw a significant reorientation of the EU's export partnerships, marked by the meteoric rise of the United States and the decline of the Russian Federation. On the import side, Türkiye cemented its dominance as the primary supplier.

The United States became the largest single-country destination for EU exports.

While the United Kingdom remained the largest regional partner, the United States saw its imports from the EU surge from €74.7 million to €239.0 million (+219.8%). This made the US the top destination by value in 2025. Canada also showed exceptional growth (+341.8%). In contrast, exports to the Russian Federation fell sharply by 59.4% to €19.5 million. The Top Partners by Value data highlights this strategic shift toward North American markets.

On the import side, Türkiye is the overwhelmingly dominant partner, and its lead grew.

Imports from Türkiye rose from €128.5 million to €215.9 million (+67.9%), giving it a market share far exceeding any other partner. Other notable import growth came from Serbia (+227.7%) and Chile (+112.2%). Conversely, imports from the United Kingdom fell by 46.5%, likely reflecting the trade effects of Brexit.

Inside the EU, France and Italy became the undisputed export leaders.

Among EU Member States, France saw its exports to non-EU countries grow from €184.2 million to €353.0 million (+91.6%), solidifying its top position. Italian exports grew even faster (+129.6%) to €120.2 million. On the import side, Germany's role expanded dramatically (+193.1%), as did Italy's (+254.0%), indicating a growing need for imported preserves within these major economies. The Top Reporters by Value section details these intra-EU dynamics.

3. Structural Transformation: Specialisation and Segment Shifts

Beyond the headline figures, the market underwent structural changes visible in the EU's production specialization, the performance of product subcategories, and the stability of trade flows.

The EU's internal production specialization for this product intensified.

The Specialisation data for 2025 shows Greece (RCA 2.88) and Italy (RCA 2.58) as the most specialized producers within the EU, with high Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) scores. This points to a concentration of advanced production and export capacity in Mediterranean Member States. Meanwhile, countries like Finland and Ireland show a negative specialization, indicating they are net importers of these products.

The non-citrus preserves segment (200799) drove the value growth in both trade flows.

For imports, subheading 200799 (other fruit preserves) accounted for the vast majority of volume and value, with volumes growing from 78,306 to 120,971 tonnes (+54.5%). For exports, the same subheading was dominant, with its value rising from €390.4 million to €751.0 million (+92.4%). A notable decline occurred in exports of infant dietetic preparations (200710), whose volume fell from 54,265 to 26,531 tonnes (-51.1%). This is detailed in the Product Segment Breakdown.

Trade flows showed varying volatility, with specific price shocks identified.

The coefficient of variation (CV) in import values was highest for the United Kingdom (0.48), indicating high volatility, likely due to Brexit-related disruptions. A significant price shock was detected in 2022 for imports from South Africa, where the price per tonne jumped abnormally by 54.9% relative to the trend. The EU's Trade Intensity with the world also increased significantly, from 9.3% to 23.1%, indicating a much higher degree of integration of this sector into global trade flows by 2025.

Conclusion

Over the 2015-2025 decade, the EU's fruit preserves market (CN 2007) transformed from a relatively stable trade volume into a high-value, globally integrated sector. Growth was overwhelmingly price-driven, not volume-driven, suggesting a shift towards higher-value products or increased pricing power. Geographically, the EU successfully diversified its export base, pivoting strongly toward North America while reducing exposure to Russia. Internally, production and export strength became more concentrated in specialized Member States like France and Italy. The sector also became more trade-engaged overall, with trade intensity more than doubling. Despite rising imports, the EU maintained and expanded its significant net exporter status, demonstrating a robust competitive position in the global market for processed fruit preparations.