EU: Market for Cherries and Sour Cherries 2023

Market Size for Cherries and Sour Cherries in the EU

In 2021, the EU cherry and sour cherry market decreased by -1.6% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries in the EU

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Poland (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Spain (X tons), together comprising 49% of total production. Greece, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average yield of cherries and sour cherries in the European Union rose to X tons per ha, increasing by 2.9% against the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the yield increased by 16%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of cherries and sour cherries were harvested in the European Union; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 1.6%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry and sour cherry production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Exports in the EU

In 2021, overseas shipments of cherries and sour cherries increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +67.4% against 2018 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons), distantly followed by Greece (X tons), Austria (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the key exporters of cherries and sour cherries, together achieving 82% of total exports. The Netherlands (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Austria (with a CAGR of +16.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), Austria ($X) and Greece ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 65% of total exports.

Austria, with a CAGR of +15.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 26%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

Imports in the EU

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -0.4% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +19.1% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports amounted to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +50.5% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Germany represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 37% of total imports. Austria (X tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by France (8.3%), the Netherlands (7.3%) and Italy (5.6%). Poland (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Romania (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Germany increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Romania (+27.1%), Austria (+22.6%), Portugal (+14.6%), Poland (+11.0%), Bulgaria (+9.5%), the Netherlands (+7.2%), France (+7.2%) and Italy (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +27.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Belgium (-5.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Austria (+12 p.p.) and Romania (+2.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Italy, Belgium and Germany saw its share reduced by -2.9%, -4.8% and -13.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Austria ($X) and France ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 62% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 24%.

Among the main importing countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +25.6%, 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

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 9.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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