Hungary: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in Hungary

In 2022, the Hungarian cherry and sour cherry market decreased by -0.3% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Cherry and sour cherry consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in Hungary

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 40%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry yield in Hungary was estimated at X tons per ha, remaining relatively unchanged against the year before. Overall, the yield indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cherry and sour cherry yield decreased by -30.7% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. The cherry and sour cherry yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 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 harvested area of cherries and sour cherries in Hungary fell slightly to X ha, remaining stable against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 5.3%. The cherry and sour cherry harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports from Hungary

Cherry and sour cherry exports from Hungary shrank sharply to X tons in 2022, waning by -17.4% compared with the year before. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 37%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports declined significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 85% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for cherry and sour cherry exports from Hungary, accounting for a 71% share of total exports. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Romania (X tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Slovakia (X tons), with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Romania (+20.5% per year) and Slovakia (+23.2% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for cherries and sour cherries exports from Hungary, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Romania ($X), with a 7% share of total exports. It was followed by Slovakia, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany stood at -1.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Romania (+16.0% per year) and Slovakia (+11.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -25.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 62% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Lithuania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Serbia (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports into Hungary

In 2022, purchases abroad of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -84.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 9,982%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 4,382%. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Poland (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cherry and sour cherry to Hungary, accounting for a 83% share of total imports. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry imports from Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Slovenia (X tons), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Slovakia (X tons), with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Poland totaled +39.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Slovenia (-19.1% per year) and Slovakia (+24.8% per year).

In value terms, Poland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cherries and sour cherries to Hungary, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Slovakia ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Slovenia, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Poland totaled +33.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Slovakia (+47.1% per year) and Slovenia (-21.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cherry and sour cherry import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -45.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 185%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+17.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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