Global Sour Cherry Market's Value to Rise With a 3.7% CAGR Through 2035

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

The global sour cherry market is forecast to grow steadily, with volume projected to reach 1.8 million tons by 2035 at a CAGR of +1.1%, while market value is expected to hit $3.2 billion at a CAGR of +3.7%. In 2024, global consumption was 1.6 million tons, led by Russia, Turkey, and Poland. Production mirrored consumption, with similar leading producers. International trade saw Germany, Russia, and Saudi Arabia as top importers, while Hungary, Serbia, and Spain led exports. Price trends showed import prices rising faster than export prices.

Key Findings

• Market volume is forecast to grow to 1.8M tons by 2035 with a CAGR of +1.1%, while value is projected to reach $3.2B with a CAGR of +3.7%
• Russia, Turkey, and Poland are the top three consuming and producing countries, accounting for 41% of global volume
• Serbia has the highest per capita consumption at 22 kg per person, far exceeding the global average of 0.2 kg
• Uzbekistan shows the most dynamic growth in both consumption and production among major markets
• Global trade is led by Germany as the top importer and Spain commanding the highest average export price at $3,118 per ton

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

In 2024, global consumption of sour cherries amounted to 1.6M tons, with an increase of 2.5% compared with 2023. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at 1.6M tons in 2022; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.

The global sour cherry market revenue was estimated at $2.2B in 2024, surging 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). In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate 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 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), together comprising 41% 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 most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by 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, with a combined 47% share of the global market. Turkey, Iran, Serbia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Among the main consuming countries, Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +7.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size 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.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the sour cherry per capita consumption in Serbia amounted to +1.9%. 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

In 2024, global sour cherry production rose modestly to 1.6M tons, surging by 2.7% compared with 2023 figures. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 16%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume 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 expanded sharply to $2.2B in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $2.3B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

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 accounting for 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

In 2024, the global average yield of sour cherries amounted to 7 tons per ha, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 11% against the previous year. 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 somewhat lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2024, approx. 225K ha of sour cherries were harvested worldwide; approximately equating the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 4.9% against the previous year. 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 failed to regain momentum.

Imports

World's Imports of Sour Cherries

In 2024, supplies from abroad of sour cherries was finally on the rise to reach 50K tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, saw a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 80K tons. From 2019 to 2024, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sour cherry imports soared to $99M in 2024. Over the period under review, 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 remained at a lower figure.

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 mixing 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 key 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, Germany ($17M), Russia ($9.2M) and Saudi Arabia ($8.8M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together accounting for 36% of global imports. Italy, Egypt, the Netherlands, Austria, Palestine, Romania and Azerbaijan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

Azerbaijan, with a CAGR of +63.0%, saw 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 global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2024, the average sour cherry import price amounted to $1,975 per ton, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 22%. Global import price peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, 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 after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, saw a pronounced decrease. 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 surged to $80M in 2024. In general, exports, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. 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 shipments of the three major exporters of sour cherries, namely Hungary, Serbia and Spain, represented more than third of total export. Iran (3.1K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 6.8% share, followed by Moldova (6%), Poland (5.8%) and Uzbekistan (5.1%). Bulgaria (1.8K tons), Lebanon (1.8K tons) and the Czech Republic (1.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading 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) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 44% share of global exports. Poland, Iran, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Moldova, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

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

Export Prices By Country

The average sour cherry export price stood at $1,727 per ton in 2024, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 33%. The global export price peaked at $1,855 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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.