Cherries market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The cherry market in the MENA region showed overall growth in volume from 2018 to 2023, starting at 365.6 thousand tons and reaching 413.6 thousand tons by the end of the period. This expansion was not uniform, as the market first surged to a peak of 421.6 thousand tons in 2019 before encountering a sharp decline.

Following the 2019 peak, market volume contracted by over 60 thousand tons in 2020 to 361.3 thousand tons and dipped slightly further in 2021 to 348.2 thousand tons. A recovery phase began in 2022, with volume rising to 377.5 thousand tons, and growth continued in 2023 to 413.6 thousand tons, surpassing the previous high. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, with the highest value recorded in 2019 at 760.2 million USD, a drop to 635.6 million USD in 2020, and a recovery to 746.6 million USD in 2022, before a slight decrease to 742.1 million USD in 2023 despite higher volume.

Production cherries in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 373.7 thousand tons of cherries, marking a modest 4.9% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 342.1 thousand tons. That same year saw the largest decline of 13.1%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 14.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cherry production in MENA reached 632.1 million US dollars, representing a substantial 15.2% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 23.6%, while 2019 saw the largest increase of 15.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cherries from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied significantly, with a six-fold difference between the low point in 2018 and the high point in 2020. In 2020, MENA's cherry exports reached 29 471 tons, representing a 68.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 949 tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 23.3%, while 2019 experienced the most substantial increase of 253.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia (35.0% of exports in kind), Belarus (2.6%), and Afghanistan (2.4%) were among the largest buyers of cherries from MENA. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 40.0% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Export values showed a 5.3-fold difference between the low point in 2018 and the peak in 2020. In 2020, cross-border shipments of cherries from MENA amounted to 49 843 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 50.0% improvement from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 9 328 thousand US dollars. That year saw the largest decline of 32.6%, while 2019 experienced the most significant increase of 256.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for cherry exports in value terms from MENA was quite broad. Russia (34.6% of exports in value terms), Belarus (3.2%), and Afghanistan (2.0%) together represented only 39.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cherries to MENA

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, MENA's volume of cherry imports declined. In 2020, imports came to 17 032 tons, reflecting a dramatic 63.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 46 228 tons. That year also saw the largest increase of 62.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, cherry imports in kind to MENA were spread across many countries. Turkey (43.6% of imports in kind), Greece (1.9%), and Australia (1.8%) jointly accounted for only 47.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cherry imports to MENA increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 53 414 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 12.1% year-over-year uptick. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 50.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.6%.

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

Analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Turkey (14.9% of imports in value terms), Australia (6.3%), and Argentina (4.7%) together accounted for only 26.0% of total flows, with a significant 74.0% falling on other partners.

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

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