Worldwide Sour Cherries Market to See Steady Growth with +1.1% CAGR in Volume and +3.7% CAGR in Value from 2024 to 2035

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Sour Cherries - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

Driven by increasing global demand, the sour cherry market is expected to continue growing over the next decade. Forecasts suggest a +1.1% CAGR in market volume, reaching 1.8M tons by 2035, and a +3.7% CAGR in market value, reaching $3.2B by the same year.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sour cherries worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.8M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

World's Consumption of Sour Cherries

Global sour cherry consumption expanded slightly to 1.6M tons in 2024, increasing by 2.5% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the peak volume at 1.6M tons in 2022; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.

The global sour cherry market revenue rose markedly to $2.2B in 2024, picking up by 7.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $2.3B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Russia (290K tons), Turkey (194K tons) and Poland (174K tons), with a combined 41% share of global consumption. Ukraine, Serbia, Iran, the United States, Uzbekistan and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +6.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($464M), Russia ($306M) and Poland ($252M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, together comprising 47% of the global market. Turkey, Iran, Serbia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +7.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the highest levels of sour cherry per capita consumption was registered in Serbia (22 kg per person), followed by Hungary (5.4 kg per person), Poland (4.6 kg per person) and Ukraine (4 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of sour cherry was estimated at 0.2 kg per person.

In Serbia, sour cherry per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Hungary (+0.2% per year) and Poland (-0.2% per year).

Production

World's Production of Sour Cherries

Global sour cherry production stood at 1.6M tons in 2024, with an increase of 2.7% on the previous year. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 1.6M tons in 2022; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, sour cherry production stood at $2.2B in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $2.3B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Russia (283K tons), Turkey (194K tons) and Poland (176K tons), together comprising 41% of global production. Ukraine, Serbia, Iran, the United States, Uzbekistan and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

The global average sour cherry yield was estimated at 7 tons per ha in 2024, approximately mirroring 2023 figures. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 11%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of 7.2 tons per ha. From 2019 to 2024, the growth of the average sour cherry yield remained at a lower figure.

Harvested Area

The global sour cherry harvested area stood at 225K ha in 2024, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 4.9%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sour cherry production reached the peak figure at 228K ha in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Imports

World's Imports of Sour Cherries

In 2024, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of sour cherries, when their volume increased by 12% to 50K tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 80K tons. From 2019 to 2024, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sour cherry imports soared to $99M in 2024. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $114M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2024, Germany (11K tons), distantly followed by Russia (7.4K tons), Saudi Arabia (6.2K tons), Austria (2.7K tons), Italy (2.6K tons), the Netherlands (2.5K tons) and Egypt (2.3K tons) were the main importers of sour cherries, together making up 70% of total imports. Romania (1.4K tons), Azerbaijan (1K tons) and Palestine (0.9K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Azerbaijan (with a CAGR of +58.5%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sour cherry importing markets worldwide were Germany ($17M), Russia ($9.2M) and Saudi Arabia ($8.8M), with a combined 36% share of global imports. Italy, Egypt, the Netherlands, Austria, Palestine, Romania and Azerbaijan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Azerbaijan, with a CAGR of +63.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average sour cherry import price stood at $1,975 per ton in 2024, surging by 14% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($2,994 per ton), while Azerbaijan ($1,000 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+5.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World's Exports of Sour Cherries

In 2024, overseas shipments of sour cherries were finally on the rise to reach 46K tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, saw a pronounced contraction. The global exports peaked at 81K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sour cherry exports soared to $80M in 2024. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 33%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $133M. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Hungary (9.7K tons), Serbia (6.9K tons) and Spain (5.5K tons), together finishing at 48% of total export. It was distantly followed by Iran (3.1K tons), Moldova (2.8K tons), Poland (2.6K tons) and Uzbekistan (2.3K tons), together constituting a 24% share of total exports. The following exporters - Bulgaria (1.8K tons), Lebanon (1.8K tons) and the Czech Republic (1.6K tons) - together made up 11% of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +87.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($17M), Hungary ($11M) and Serbia ($6.3M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together accounting for 44% of global exports. Poland, Iran, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Moldova, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +108.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the average sour cherry export price amounted to $1,727 per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 33%. The global export price peaked at $1,855 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($3,118 per ton), while Moldova ($845 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+11.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.