EU: Sour Cherry Market 2022

Sour Cherry Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU sour cherry market decreased by -0.7% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sour Cherry Production in the EU

In value terms, sour cherry production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 64% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Poland (X tons) remains the largest sour cherry producing country in the European Union, comprising approx. 49% of total volume. Moreover, sour cherry production in Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Hungary (X tons), twofold. Romania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

In Poland, sour cherry production plunged by an average annual rate of -1.5% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Hungary (+1.7% per year) and Romania (+132.5% per year).

In 2021, the average sour cherry yield in the European Union shrank modestly to X tons per ha, which is down by -3% against 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 16%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the sour cherry yield remained 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, the sour cherry harvested area in the European Union totaled X ha, picking up by 4.2% against the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 5.8% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sour Cherry Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, shipments abroad of sour cherries was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sour cherry exports shrank to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Hungary (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the major exporters of sour cherries in the European Union, together achieving 57% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Croatia (X tons) and Germany (X tons), together achieving a 29% share of total exports. Bulgaria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +22.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), Hungary ($X) and Poland ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 66% share of total exports. The Czech Republic, Germany, Bulgaria and Croatia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

Croatia, with a CAGR of +29.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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, waning by -7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 41%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Croatia (+9.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sour Cherry Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, approx. X tons of sour cherries were imported in the European Union; waning by -17.7% against 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sour cherry imports declined to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany prevails in imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 60% of total imports in 2021. Austria (X tons) took a 9.8% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (5.2%) and Romania (5%). The following importers - Hungary (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Italy (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), France (X tons) and Poland (X tons) - each recorded a 12% share of total imports.

Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of sour cherries. At the same time, Slovakia (+22.6%), the Netherlands (+17.2%), Romania (+15.7%), France (+10.5%) and Austria (+8.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +22.6% from 2012-2021. Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Belgium (-8.3%), Poland (-9.1%) and Hungary (-11.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Austria (+4.3 p.p.), the Netherlands (+3.8 p.p.), Romania (+3.4 p.p.) and Slovakia (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Poland, Belgium, Germany and Hungary saw its share reduced by -2.8%, -3.2%, -4.9% and -5.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sour cherries in the European Union, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Austria, with a 5.8% share.

In Germany, sour cherry imports decreased by an average annual rate of -4.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+3.9% per year) and Austria (-0.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 9.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 32% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a 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 ($X per ton), while Austria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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