Italy: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in Italy

The Italian cherry and sour cherry market expanded remarkably to $X in 2022, rising by 6.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Cherry and sour cherry consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in Italy

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production rose significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry yield in Italy rose rapidly to X tons per ha, surging by 5.3% against the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average cherry and sour cherry yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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, the total area harvested in terms of cherries and sour cherries production in Italy rose slightly to X ha, increasing by 4.6% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, 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 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports from Italy

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -11.4% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports saw a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 234%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 129% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for cherry and sour cherry exports from Italy, with a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Switzerland (X tons), fourfold. Austria (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Germany totaled -1.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (-0.8% per year) and Austria (+0.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for cherries and sour cherries exports from Italy, comprising 49% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Switzerland ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Germany totaled -4.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (-0.8% per year) and Austria (-0.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -10.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 51%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 Switzerland (-0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports into Italy

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -22.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, imports continue to indicate a mild contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. Imports peaked 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 dropped markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 65%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Spain (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) were the main suppliers of cherry and sour cherry imports to Italy, with a combined 85% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +202.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cherries and sour cherries to Italy, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Greece ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 2.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Spain totaled +3.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (+18.6% per year) and France (-6.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry import price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 30% against the previous year. The import price peaked 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 supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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