MENA: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in MENA

The MENA's cherry and sour cherry market expanded to $X in 2022, with an increase of 4.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in MENA

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 27%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cherry and sour cherry production was Turkey (X tons), comprising approx. 69% of total volume. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), threefold. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.4% share.

In Turkey, cherry and sour cherry production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-2.1% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-6.2% per year).

The average cherry and sour cherry yield amounted to X tons per ha in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the cherry and sour cherry yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cherry and sour cherry harvested area reached X ha in 2022, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 3.2%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry and sour cherry production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in MENA

In 2022, overseas shipments of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -29.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, exports recorded a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 25%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 42%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Turkey dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2022. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Turkey experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of cherries and sour cherries. Syrian Arab Republic (-10.9%) and Lebanon (-13.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey increased by +13 percentage points.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry supplier in MENA, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a 2.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey totaled -1.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Syrian Arab Republic (-12.7% per year) and Lebanon (-9.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lebanon (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports in MENA

In 2022, overseas purchases of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -39.1% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 64%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports declined sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Egypt represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 36% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Palestine (X tons), Bahrain (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Iraq (X tons) and Jordan (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 57% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cherry and sour cherry imports into Egypt stood at -6.0%. At the same time, Palestine (+14.8%), Qatar (+11.6%) and Bahrain (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Palestine emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2012-2022. The United Arab Emirates experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Jordan (-5.5%) and Iraq (-19.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Palestine (+10 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+8.8 p.p.), Qatar (+6.1 p.p.) and Bahrain (+5.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Iraq (-23.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cherry and sour cherry importing markets in MENA were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Egypt ($X), together comprising 70% of total imports.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +33.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Import price indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% 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 import price increased by +83.5% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 19%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Egypt ($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