Eastern Europe: Cherry Market 2024

Cherry Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European cherry market declined notably to $X in 2022, dropping by -16.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a pronounced reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cherry Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, cherry production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 17%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Ukraine (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Russia (X tons), with a combined 59% share of total production. Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +10.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average cherry yield in Eastern Europe shrank slightly to X tons per ha, almost unchanged from 2021 figures. Overall, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the cherry yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cherry harvested area dropped modestly to X ha in 2022, approximately reflecting the year before. In general, the harvested area saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 3.9%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cherry Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas shipments of cherries were finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 92% against the previous year. 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, cherry exports dropped notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Moldova was the key exporter of cherries in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 70% of total exports in 2022. Poland (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Latvia (4.6%). Hungary (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Romania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cherry exports from Moldova stood at +16.9%. At the same time, Latvia (+23.7%) and Hungary (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Latvia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +23.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Bulgaria (-7.3%), Romania (-10.6%), Poland (-13.6%) and Lithuania (-14.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Moldova and Latvia increased by +56 and +4.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Moldova ($X) remains the largest cherry supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Latvia, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Moldova stood at +15.0%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (-13.9% per year) and Latvia (+23.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -28.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 29%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+8.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cherry Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of cherries decreased by -66.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports showed a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

In value terms, cherry imports fell slightly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -5.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons) represented the main importer of cherries, constituting 42% of total imports. Poland (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Belarus (X tons), Romania (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 51% share of total imports.

Imports into Russia decreased at an average annual rate of -13.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Romania (+31.4%), Latvia (+20.9%), Poland (+16.2%), Belarus (+14.1%) and Bulgaria (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +31.4% from 2012-2022. Lithuania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Poland, Romania, Belarus, Latvia, Bulgaria and Lithuania increased by +11, +11, +9.6, +6.2, +3.1 and +2.7 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cherries in Eastern Europe, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 6.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Belarus, with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Russia stood at +2.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (+15.6% per year) and Belarus (+14.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 182% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed buoyant growth. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+18.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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