EU: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in the EU

In 2022, the EU cherry and sour cherry market decreased by -3.7% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in the EU

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Poland (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cherry and sour cherry production, comprising approx. 26% of total volume. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry production in Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Spain (X tons), twofold. Italy (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Poland was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+0.6% per year) and Italy (-0.9% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of cherries and sour cherries in the European Union shrank modestly to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -2.8% against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, the cherry and sour cherry yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the 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.

In 2022, the cherry and sour cherry harvested area in the European Union was estimated at X ha, increasing by 1.7% on 2021. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry and sour cherry production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in the EU

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cherries and sour cherries, when their volume decreased by -23% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 24% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 22%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) and Greece (X tons) represented the major exporters of cherries and sour cherries in the European Union, together resulting at approx. 43% of total exports. Austria (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Hungary (8.8%), Italy (8.1%), Poland (5.2%) and Belgium (4.7%). The Netherlands (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Greece (with a CAGR of +9.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry supplier in the European Union, comprising 30% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Greece ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 13% share.

In Spain, cherry and sour cherry exports increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Greece (+7.7% per year) and Austria (+6.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -6.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 26%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports in the EU

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of cherries and sour cherries, when their volume decreased by -24.2% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports declined significantly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) was the largest importer of cherries and sour cherries, committing 36% of total imports. Austria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by the Netherlands (6.5%), France (5.9%), Italy (5.7%) and Romania (4.7%). The following importers - Poland (X tons), Spain (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) - together made up 18% of total imports.

Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of cherries and sour cherries. At the same time, Romania (+27.6%), Austria (+14.6%), Sweden (+12.9%), Portugal (+11.9%), Spain (+10.3%), Poland (+8.5%), Bulgaria (+5.9%), Denmark (+3.8%) and the Netherlands (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +27.6% from 2012-2022. France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-1.3%) and Belgium (-7.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Austria (+8.6 p.p.), Romania (+4.2 p.p.), Spain (+1.6 p.p.) and Poland (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while France, Italy, Belgium and Germany saw its share reduced by -1.7%, -2.8%, -4.8% and -13.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cherries and sour cherries in the European Union, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Austria ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Germany totaled -1.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (+13.5% per year) and France (+0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -8.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Spain ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($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 (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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