Croatia: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in Croatia

The Croatian cherry and sour cherry market rose sharply to $X in 2022, surging by 6.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in Croatia

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 425%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of cherries and sour cherries in Croatia rose remarkably to X tons per ha in 2022, surging by 11% on 2021. In general, the yield indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% 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 -33.4% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 109%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the average cherry and sour cherry yield remained 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 Croatia contracted to X ha, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the harvested area showed a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 12%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the cherry and sour cherry harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports from Croatia

In 2022, approx. X tons of cherries and sour cherries were exported from Croatia; growing by 15% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 1,290% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 825%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons), Bosnia and Herzegovina (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main destinations of cherry and sour cherry exports from Croatia, with a combined 67% share of total exports. Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Belgium and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +143.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the key foreign market for cherries and sour cherries exports from Croatia, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Slovenia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Spain totaled +7.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovenia (+46.7% per year) and the Czech Republic (+54.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cherry and sour cherry export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 40% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 178%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bosnia and Herzegovina ($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 the Czech Republic (+23.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports into Croatia

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in purchases abroad of cherries and sour cherries, when their volume decreased by -0.2% to X tons. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 320% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports amounted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 148%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Greece (X tons), Serbia (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) were the main suppliers of cherry and sour cherry imports to Croatia, together comprising 91% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Greece (with a CAGR of +98.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Greece ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cherries and sour cherries to Croatia, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Serbia ($X), with a 27% share of total imports. It was followed by Slovenia, with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Greece stood at +93.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Serbia (+12.7% per year) and Slovenia (+29.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cherry and sour cherry import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% 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 import price decreased by -12.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 127%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Serbia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bosnia and Herzegovina (+12.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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