Middle East: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern cherry and sour cherry market expanded remarkably to $X in 2022, rising by 5.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in the Middle East

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest cherry and sour cherry producing country in the Middle East, accounting for 71% 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.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey amounted to +3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (-2.1% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-6.2% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of cherries and sour cherries in the Middle East was estimated at X tons per ha, approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 10% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 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 harvested area of cherries and sour cherries in the Middle East totaled X ha, approximately mirroring the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 3.2%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry and sour cherry production attained the maximum at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -29.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, exports recorded a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Turkey prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 90% of total exports in 2022. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

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. While the share of Turkey (+13 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Syrian Arab Republic (-6 p.p.) and Lebanon (-7.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

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

In Turkey, cherry and sour cherry exports declined by an average annual rate of -1.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Syrian Arab Republic (-12.7% per year) and Lebanon (-9.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 1.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 22%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 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 the Middle East

In 2022, overseas purchases of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -53% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, imports showed a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -45.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 43% against the previous year. 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 countries with the highest levels of cherry and sour cherry imports in 2022 were the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Palestine (X tons), Bahrain (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Iraq (X tons) and Jordan (X tons), together resulting at 90% of total import. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons), mixing up a 4.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Palestine (with a CAGR of +14.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Jordan ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 75% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +33.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a prominent expansion. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue 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 ($X per ton), while Palestine ($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

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