Eastern Europe: Sour Cherry Market 2024

Sour Cherry Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European sour cherry market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, which is down by -1.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sour Cherry Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, sour cherry production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 24%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Russia (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and Poland (X tons), together comprising 79% of total production. Hungary, Belarus and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +113.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of sour cherries in Eastern Europe reduced modestly to X tons per ha, almost unchanged from the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 18%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the 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.

The sour cherry harvested area declined slightly to X ha in 2022, waning by -1.6% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 8.9%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sour cherry production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Sour Cherry Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, exports of sour cherries in Eastern Europe reduced to X tons, declining by -10.9% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports showed a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 41%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sour cherry exports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Hungary was the largest exporter of sour cherries in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 47% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Moldova (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons), together comprising a 50% share of total exports. Belarus (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sour cherry exports from Hungary stood at -4.7%. At the same time, Bulgaria (+18.5%), the Czech Republic (+5.1%) and Belarus (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +18.5% from 2012-2022. Moldova experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Poland (-7.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Moldova (+11 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+6.8 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+4.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Hungary (-8.9 p.p.) and Poland (-12.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hungary ($X) remains the largest sour cherry supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Moldova, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Hungary totaled -8.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (-11.5% per year) and Moldova (+8.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Moldova ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while Belarus ($X per ton) and the Czech Republic ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Moldova (+7.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sour Cherry Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

After three years of decline, overseas purchases of sour cherries increased by 13% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sour cherry imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons) represented the largest importer of sour cherries, creating 50% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Romania (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Estonia (X tons), together achieving a 37% share of total imports. The following importers - Hungary (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) - each recorded a 7.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sour cherry imports into Russia stood at -3.1%. At the same time, Hungary (+98.7%), Estonia (+29.1%), Slovakia (+23.2%), Bulgaria (+20.8%) and Romania (+18.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +98.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Poland (-6.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Romania (+15 p.p.), Bulgaria (+6.3 p.p.), Estonia (+4.1 p.p.), Hungary (+4 p.p.) and Slovakia (+3.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Poland (-6 p.p.) and Russia (-24.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sour cherries in Eastern Europe, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Romania ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with an 8.6% share.

In Russia, sour cherry imports decreased by an average annual rate of -5.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (+15.9% per year) and Poland (-5.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 2.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 13%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, 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 Estonia ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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