Africa: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in Africa

The African cherry and sour cherry market shrank modestly to $X in 2022, falling by -2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in Africa

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -10.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 52% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Morocco (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons), with a combined 81% share of total production. Somalia and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by South Africa (with a CAGR of +13.0%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of cherries and sour cherries in Africa fell modestly to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -1.7% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 30%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of cherries and sour cherries in Africa reduced modestly to X ha, with a decrease of -1.6% compared with 2021 figures. The total harvested area indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cherry and sour cherry harvested area increased by +16.0% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 57%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the cherry and sour cherry harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in Africa

In 2022, exports of cherries and sour cherries in Africa fell sharply to X tons, reducing by -16.2% on 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 361%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 240% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2022. Madagascar (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +11.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Morocco (+78.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +78.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Madagascar (-19.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Madagascar, Morocco and South Africa increased by +3.8, +1.9 and +1.5 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry supplier in Africa, comprising 97% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Morocco ($X), with a 1.5% share of total exports.

In South Africa, cherry and sour cherry exports expanded at an average annual rate of +33.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Morocco (+104.3% per year) and Madagascar (-20.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 47% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 103%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Madagascar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+19.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of cherries and sour cherries were imported in Africa; jumping by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 175% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 126%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Egypt dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 86% of total imports in 2022. South Africa (X tons) and Mauritius (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into Egypt decreased at an average annual rate of -6.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mauritius (+5.0%) and South Africa (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritius emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +5.0% from 2012-2022. While the share of South Africa (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cherries and sour cherries in Africa, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 12% share of total imports.

In Egypt, cherry and sour cherry imports contracted by an average annual rate of -7.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+10.1% per year) and Mauritius (+14.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -26.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 98%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($X per ton), while Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (+9.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :