“Over the last year, we have seen a stabilization, with a slight downward trend, in global production volumes of prunes. The stabilization in volumes is coming from Chile, unlike the rest of the major producers.”
That is what says the agricultural engineer José Antonio Soffia, commercial manager of Superfruit, who will explore this topic in depth in his talk “Market Trends,” part of EXPO Ciruelas Secas 2026, which will take place on Wednesday, March 18, at Monticello Event Center.
He adds that global production could fall by around 10,000 tons due to lower production in some of the main producing countries: The United States, France, and Argentina. Chile is not expected to experience any decline in production in the short term.
Global production in 2023-2024 exceeded 231,000 metric tons.
In this scenario of production stabilization, the market also faces new structural challenges: greater demands for sustainability, traceability, and logistical efficiency. The projected decline in global availability could contribute to a rebalancing of supply and demand, creating opportunities for countries with stable production and high export reliability.
José Antonio Soffia will also refer to the importance that China has acquired as an importer of prunes in recent years, accounting for nearly 40% of national production.
China’s consolidation as a key player in international demand is redefining trade flows and raising standards of quality, safety, and consistency in supply. This phenomenon is forcing exporters to strengthen their production planning, to diversify markets, and to advance in innovation, both in formats and value propositions.
For Chile, which maintains a significant competitive position in the global industry, the current context represents a strategic opportunity to reinforce its leadership, especially if it manages to capitalize on its production stability and reputation as a reliable supplier.
The 2026 Expo Ciruelas Secas will be the ideal venue to analyze these trends in depth, share projections for the coming season, and discuss how the industry can adapt to an increasingly dynamic global environment.
For more information, visit https://expociruelassecas.cl/ and register HERE.
Chileprunes, the Trade Association of Dried Plum Processors and Exporters of Chile, invites you to be part in this event that connects the entire industry chain.
Experience a unique day where producers, suppliers, logistics specialists, and exporters will come together to share experiences, forge strategic alliances, and discover new business opportunities.
See you at EXPO 2026!!!
