Cherries market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The cherry market in Central Asia expanded from 213.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 242.9 thousand tonnes in 2019, a 13.9% increase. This growth coincided with stronger regional economic ties, including initiatives to create a single market for goods and services, alongside rising trade and industrial cooperation focused on agriculture. However, the market volume dipped by 3.7% to 233.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, a period marked by the negative regional impact of the war in Ukraine, which disrupted logistics and offset early post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Market growth resumed strongly in 2021, rising 13.8% to 266 thousand tonnes. This recovery was supported by enhanced regional cooperation in the water-energy sector, particularly the completion of the Kambarata HPP-1 project, which improved irrigation availability for fruit cultivation. Further development of transport infrastructure, including the proposed Trans-Afghan Transport Corridor to access Indian Ocean ports, alongside deepening economic integration, contributed to a continued 6.9% expansion to 284.4 thousand tonnes in 2022.

In 2023, the market contracted by 3.9% to 273.2 thousand tonnes, even as the region's overall GDP grew and trade volumes increased. The following year, 2024, saw significant policy developments with the adoption of the "Central Asia – 2040" concept and a detailed roadmap to strengthen regional cooperation and create a single market, alongside continued planning for major transit corridors.

Production cherries in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

Central Asia's cherry production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 261.0 thousand tons of cherries, showing a modest 6.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 31%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cherries from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 8 224 tons, while in 2018 they reached a peak of 52 832 tons—a 6.4-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia exported 33 019 tons of cherries, a sharp increase of 301.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 84.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Central Asia's cherry exports in volume terms were Russia, accounting for 36.2% of exports, South Korea at 3.6%, and China at 1.0%. Together, these three countries made up 40.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The market experienced an unstable trend throughout this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 56.8 million US dollars, while in 2018 they peaked at 144.1 million US dollars—a 2.5-fold gap. In 2020, Central Asia exported 63.9 million US dollars worth of cherries, up 12.5% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 60.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 109.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the top buyer of Central Asian cherries in value terms, accounting for 16.2% of exports, followed by South Korea at 2.6% and China at 1.6%. Combined, these three markets represented 20.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports cherries to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market was marked by volatility during these years. In 2017, imports bottomed out, while in 2018 they peaked at 32 223 tons—a 17-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia imported 5 810 tons of cherries, a significant rise of 18.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 84.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 1 628.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the primary source of cherry imports to Central Asia, accounting for 0.5% of total imports in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 15.7 million US dollars, while in 2018 they reached a peak of 113.9 million US dollars—a 7.3-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia's cherry imports amounted to 19.4 million US dollars, a solid increase of 23.8% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 86.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 113.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020