Cherries market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh cherry market in Russia expanded significantly from 668 thousand tons in 2018 to 844 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by a steady increase in domestic production, which rose from 642 thousand tons to 796 thousand tons over the same period. State support for agricultural organizations and investments in the sector helped boost yields and develop production capacity, reducing reliance on imports.

While imports initially played a key role, with significant shipments from Turkey and Azerbaijan in 2018, they began to decline from 2019 onward due to reduced supplies from CIS countries. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected logistics and consumer preferences but did not halt market growth. Later, geopolitical sanctions and import restrictions in 2022 further altered supply chains, reinforcing the shift toward domestic production.

After peaking in 2022, the market volume eased to 813 thousand tons in 2023, even as the industry saw the emergence of new product segments such as frozen cherries. The market's value exceeded 60 billion rubles, reflecting sustained producer profitability and ongoing development in business-to-government sales.

Production cherries in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

Cherry production in the CIS has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 715.1 thousand tonnes of cherries, marking an 8.8% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 40.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.0%.

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

Exports cherries from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while exports peaked in 2018, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the CIS exported 38 742 tonnes of cherries, representing a sharp increase of 132.9% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 55 357 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 70.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 427.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea was the leading market for cherry exports from the CIS in volume terms, accounting for 1.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while values peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2 times. In 2020, cherry shipments from the CIS to abroad amounted to 123.3 million US dollars, showing a strong rise of 16.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 193.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 45.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 97.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea and China together accounted for the main share of cherry exports in value terms, representing 2.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cherries to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Cherry imports into the CIS declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 49 490 tonnes, corresponding to a significant fall of 30.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.3%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 9.7%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 80 850 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (with 21.5% of imports in volume terms), Serbia (6.1%), and Iran (2.2%) formed the largest group of cherry suppliers to the CIS. However, their combined contribution was limited to 29.8% of total imports in volume, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of cherries into the CIS totaled 186.9 million US dollars, up by 12.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 165.8 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 258.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 35.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 55.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of cherry imports in value terms was highly diversified. Turkey (with 23.4% of imports in value terms), Serbia (6.3%), and Iran (2.0%) together accounted for only 31.7% of total flows, while the remaining 68.3% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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