Middle East: Sour Cherry Market 2025

Sour Cherry Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern sour cherry market declined slightly to $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decline. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sour Cherry Production in the Middle East

In value terms, sour cherry production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 188%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons), with a combined 96% share of total production. Saudi Arabia and Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 3.6%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +379.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average sour cherry yield was estimated at X tons per ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 3.5%. Over the period under review, the sour cherry yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 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, approx. X ha of sour cherries were harvested in the Middle East; remaining stable against 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sour cherry production attained the maximum at X ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sour Cherry Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, exports of sour cherries in the Middle East skyrocketed to X tons, rising by 96% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 431%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sour cherry exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed a noticeable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 321% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Lebanon (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main exporters of sour cherries in the Middle East, together recording approx. 66% of total exports. Iran (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by Israel (9.7%) and Syrian Arab Republic (9.6%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Israel (with a CAGR of +82.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sour cherry supplying countries in the Middle East were Lebanon ($X), Israel ($X) and Iran ($X), together accounting for 72% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Israel, with a CAGR of +54.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -21.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Israel ($X per ton), while Turkey ($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 (-0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sour Cherry Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, approx. X tons of sour cherries were imported in the Middle East; increasing by 24% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 147%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sour cherry imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 121% 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

Palestine represented the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 42% of total imports. Jordan (X tons) took a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Bahrain (14%), Kuwait (13%) and Qatar (10%). The United Arab Emirates (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Palestine increased at an average annual rate of +28.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kuwait (+36.8%), Jordan (+33.5%), the United Arab Emirates (+16.4%), Qatar (+11.0%) and Bahrain (+7.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +36.8% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Palestine, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar increased by +35, +14, +13, +12 and +3 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Qatar ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sour cherries in the Middle East, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Palestine, with a 14% share.

In Qatar, sour cherry imports expanded at an average annual rate of +35.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+35.2% per year) and Palestine (+34.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 15% against the previous year. Import price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sour cherry import price increased by +99.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the import price increased by 104% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual 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 ($X per ton), while Jordan ($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 (+22.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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