Europe: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2024

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in Europe

In 2022, the Europe cherry and sour cherry market decreased by -4.5% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in Europe

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production rose slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 16%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Russia (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and Poland (X tons), with a combined 45% share of total production. Serbia, Spain, Italy, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belarus, Germany and Albania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belarus (with a CAGR of +14.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of cherries and sour cherries in Europe reduced modestly to X tons per ha, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the cherry and sour cherry yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield remained at a 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, approx. X ha of cherries and sour cherries were harvested in Europe; approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 5.1%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry and sour cherry production reached the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in Europe

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cherries and sour cherries, when their volume decreased by -14.9% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 28% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports fell rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then fell markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons) and Greece (X tons) represented roughly 34% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Serbia (X tons), Austria (X tons), Moldova (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together creating a 41% share of total exports. The following exporters - Poland (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Croatia (X tons) - together made up 17% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Croatia (with a CAGR of +19.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry supplier in Europe, comprising 27% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Greece ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 12% 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

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -10.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

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 Belgium ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($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 (+16.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports in Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -36.6% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports continue to indicate a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by Russia (X tons), Austria (X tons), the UK (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) represented the main importers of cherries and sour cherries, together constituting 61% of total imports. France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Romania (X tons), Poland (X tons), Belarus (X tons), Spain (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +27.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Russia ($X), Germany ($X) and the UK ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 54% of total imports. Austria, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Belarus, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a CAGR of +33.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 25% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+14.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform