GCC: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in GCC

In 2022, the GCC cherry and sour cherry market decreased by -33.8% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, posted a resilient expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in GCC

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed significant growth. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The country with the largest volume of cherry and sour cherry production was Saudi Arabia (X tons), accounting for 83% of total volume. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Oman (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Saudi Arabia was relatively modest.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in GCC

In 2022, exports of cherries and sour cherries in GCC fell modestly to X tons, shrinking by -2.6% against 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 335%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a temperate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 223% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the main exporter of cherries and sour cherries, committing 62% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together constituting a 38% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cherry and sour cherry exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at -2.0%. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+5.6%) and Oman (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +5.6% from 2012-2022. Saudi Arabia (+10 p.p.) and Oman (+2.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -13% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry supplier in GCC, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Oman ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +4.4%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+2.5% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+0.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, enjoyed temperate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 234% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports in GCC

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -61.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports showed a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 88% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports reduced markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 81%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at 47% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Bahrain (X tons), Qatar (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons), together making up a 50% share of total imports. Oman (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of cherries and sour cherries. At the same time, Oman (+12.7%), Qatar (+11.6%) and Bahrain (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +12.7% from 2012-2022. Kuwait experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman increased by +14, +11, +9.9 and +2.4 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Bahrain ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 93% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +33.8%, 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 GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 91% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw resilient growth. As a result, import price reached 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 Qatar ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+19.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform