United Kingdom: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2025

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in the UK

The UK cherry and sour cherry market amounted to $X in 2022, increasing by 13% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in the UK

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 140% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry yield in the UK soared to X tons per ha, jumping by 24% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 270%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the average cherry and sour cherry yield remained at a 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, approx. X ha of cherries and sour cherries were harvested in the UK; approximately reflecting the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% 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 2013 with an increase of 8.2% against the previous year. The cherry and sour cherry harvested area peaked at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports from the UK

In 2022, overseas shipments of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -5.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a pronounced increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 115% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 64%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of cherry and sour cherry exports from the UK, with a combined 74% share of total exports. Spain, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +116.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for cherry and sour cherry exported from the UK worldwide, together comprising 68% of total exports. Spain, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Among the main countries of destination, Spain, with a CAGR of +105.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2022, the average cherry and sour cherry export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -14.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 62% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($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 the United Arab Emirates (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports into the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of cherries and sour cherries were imported into the UK; with a decrease of -4.1% against 2021 figures. Overall, imports saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a slight reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 38%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest cherry and sour cherry supplier to the UK, accounting for a 60% share of total imports. Moreover, cherry and sour cherry imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Chile (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Greece (X tons), with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Spain was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (+3.3% per year) and Greece (+7.8% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X), Chile ($X) and South Africa ($X) constituted the largest cherry and sour cherry suppliers to the UK, with a combined 87% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, South Africa, with a CAGR of +46.7%, 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 average cherry and sour cherry import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 18%. The import price 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 supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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