Middle East: Cherry Market 2025

Cherry Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern cherry market totaled $X in 2022, increasing by 3.9% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Cherry Production in the Middle East

In value terms, cherry production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of cherry production was Turkey (X tons), accounting for 74% of total volume. Moreover, cherry production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey stood at +4.2%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-4.6% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-6.2% per year).

In 2022, the average cherry yield in the Middle East reached X tons per ha, stabilizing at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the cherry yield hit record highs 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cherries production in the Middle East totaled X ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 11% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the cherry harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cherry Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of cherries decreased by -28.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 26%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cherry exports fell rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 42%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 89% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), generating a 7.9% share of total exports. 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. At the same time, Lebanon (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lebanon emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +2.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest cherry supplier in the Middle East, comprising 92% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a 4.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey stood at -1.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Syrian Arab Republic (-4.1% per year) and Lebanon (+12.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of export peaked 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 Lebanon ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($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 (+10.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cherry Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of cherries decreased by -30.8% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 164% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

In value terms, cherry imports declined notably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 77% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons), distantly followed by Iraq (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Jordan (X tons) represented the key importers of cherries, together creating 95% of total imports. Oman (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +24.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Iraq ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 75% of total imports. Jordan, Kuwait and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +24.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Import price indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its price 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 import price decreased by -13.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the import price increased by 36%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+10.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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