Bulgaria: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian cherry and sour cherry market shrank to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. Cherry and sour cherry consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in Bulgaria

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production enjoyed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 63%. Cherry and sour cherry production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of cherries and sour cherries in Bulgaria was estimated at X tons per ha, approximately equating the year before. In general, the yield indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 yield decreased by -9.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 68%. Over the period under review, the average cherry and sour cherry yield reached the peak level 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.

The cherry and sour cherry harvested area in Bulgaria reduced slightly to X ha in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. In general, the total harvested area indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% 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 decreased by -2.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry and sour cherry production reached the maximum at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports from Bulgaria

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of cherries and sour cherries increased by 4.2% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded modest growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 156% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 137% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for cherry and sour cherry exports from Bulgaria, with a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Poland (X tons), fivefold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Romania stood at +68.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+34.1% per year) and the Netherlands (+23.3% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X), Poland ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest markets for cherry and sour cherry exported from Bulgaria worldwide, with a combined 76% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Romania, with a CAGR of +68.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -24.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 49%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Belgium (+14.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, approx. X tons of cherries and sour cherries were imported into Bulgaria; which is down by -21.7% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 211% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, posted a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 160% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Greece (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cherry and sour cherry to Bulgaria, with a 83% share of total imports. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry imports from Greece exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Greece amounted to +7.1%.

In value terms, Greece ($X) and Turkey ($X) constituted the largest cherry and sour cherry suppliers to Bulgaria.

In terms of the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +4.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -37.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average import price increased by 85% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the price for Greece totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+3.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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