Cherries market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh cherry market in Italy stood at 117.5 thousand tons in 2018, following the implementation of EU rules requiring origin labeling and quality standards, along with a national strategy to support the fruit and vegetable sector. Market volume dipped to 107.6 thousand tons in 2019 amid stable global cherry acreage and growing demand for high-quality fruit. It then recovered to 113.7 thousand tons in 2020, though producers faced adverse weather and rising production costs.

Extreme climate events, including droughts and frosts, combined with stricter phytosanitary measures, drove the market down to 93.1 thousand tons in 2021. A bumper crop in 2022, despite poor weather and small fruit size, pushed volume back up to 106.0 thousand tons. In 2023, the market contracted to 98.0 thousand tons as domestic cherry consumption fell by 18% compared to 2018, while e‑commerce channels and demand for sustainable produce gained traction.

Production cherries in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy was among the world's top cherry producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 10th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

Italy's cherry production rebounded in 2020 after a two-year decline. In 2020, production reached 104.4 K t, marking a 5.9% increase from 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 98.6 K t, which saw the largest year-on-year drop of 14.1%.

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

Exports cherries from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's cherry exports recovered in 2020 following a two-year decline. In 2020, exports totaled 5 928 t, representing a significant 29.0% increase compared to 2019. Despite this rebound, exports decreased by 65.3% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual decline of 29.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 4 593 t, which experienced the sharpest year-on-year drop of 48.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria were the primary markets for Italy's cherry exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 56.4% of exports, Switzerland for 12.9%, and Austria for 9.1%, together making up 78.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's cherry export value surged in 2020 after two years of decline. In 2020, exports reached 35 608 K $ US, a sharp 67.5% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 41.6%, with an average annual decline of 16.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 264 K $ US, which saw the largest year-on-year drop of 49.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria dominated Italy's cherry exports in value terms. Germany represented 52.7% of export value, Switzerland 16.6%, and Austria 10.4%, collectively accounting for 79.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cherries to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's cherry imports continued to grow for the third consecutive year in 2020. In 2020, imports totaled 15 211 t, an 11.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 98%, with an average annual growth rate of 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Greece, and Turkey were the key suppliers of cherries to Italy in volume terms. Spain accounted for 34.0% of imports, Greece for 29.6%, and Turkey for 14.0%, together representing 77.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's cherry import value increased for the third year in a row in 2020. In 2020, imports reached 41 357 K $ US, up 5.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 101.7%, with an average annual increase of 26.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Greece, and Turkey remained the principal suppliers of cherries to Italy in value terms. Spain accounted for 36.8% of import value, Greece for 27.6%, and Turkey for 14.9%, collectively making up 79.3% of total imports.

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

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