EU: Sour Cherry Market 2025

Sour Cherry Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU sour cherry market was finally on the rise to reach $X after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sour Cherry Production in the EU

In value terms, sour cherry production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of sour cherry production was Poland (X tons), comprising approx. 53% of total volume. Moreover, sour cherry production in Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Hungary (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Romania (X tons), with an 11% share.

In Poland, sour cherry production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Hungary (+1.3% per year) and Romania (+113.6% per year).

In 2022, the average sour cherry yield in the European Union fell modestly to X tons per ha, waning by -3.5% on the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the yield increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the sour 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of sour cherries production in the European Union amounted to X ha, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 5.9% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sour Cherry Exports

Exports in the EU

For the fifth consecutive year, the European Union recorded decline in overseas shipments of sour cherries, which decreased by -18.3% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 29%. As a result, the exports reached 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 dropped markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 38%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Hungary (X tons) represented the major exporter of sour cherries, committing 40% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Croatia (X tons), Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons), together achieving a 50% share of total exports.

Exports from Hungary decreased at an average annual rate of -4.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bulgaria (+18.5%), Croatia (+14.6%) and the Czech Republic (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +18.5% from 2012-2022. Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Poland (-7.5%) and Spain (-9.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Czech Republic (+6.3 p.p.), Croatia (+5.4 p.p.), Bulgaria (+4 p.p.) and Italy (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Hungary, Spain and Poland saw its share reduced by -2.1%, -4% and -7.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Hungary ($X), Spain ($X) and Italy ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 62% of total exports. Poland, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Croatia, with a CAGR of +24.3%, recorded 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

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -4.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Croatia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Croatia (+8.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sour Cherry Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, imports of sour cherries in the European Union dropped markedly to X tons, declining by -21.4% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 84% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sour cherry imports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Germany dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 53% of total imports in 2022. Romania (X tons) held an 8.9% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Austria (7.7%) and the Netherlands (5%). The following importers - Italy (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Poland (X tons), Slovenia (X tons), Estonia (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) - together made up 19% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sour cherry imports into Germany stood at -3.0%. At the same time, Hungary (+98.7%), Slovenia (+40.1%), Estonia (+29.1%), Slovakia (+23.2%), Bulgaria (+20.8%), Romania (+18.1%), the Netherlands (+12.3%), Italy (+4.2%) and Austria (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +98.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Poland (-6.5%) and Belgium (-11.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Romania (+7.3 p.p.), the Netherlands (+3.5 p.p.), Bulgaria (+2.9 p.p.), Slovenia (+2.2 p.p.), Estonia (+1.9 p.p.), Hungary (+1.8 p.p.), Austria (+1.8 p.p.) and Slovakia (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Poland (-2.3 p.p.), Belgium (-3.9 p.p.) and Germany (-18 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sour cherries in the European Union, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 9.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 7.1% share.

In Germany, sour cherry imports declined by an average annual rate of -6.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+0.6% per year) and Italy (+7.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, rising by 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 28%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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