Cherries market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the fresh cherry market volume in India expanded from 224.5 thousand tonnes to 257.5 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by increasing consumer demand due to urbanization and higher incomes, alongside government subsidies for cold storage and packhouses under schemes like MIDH and NHB. The emergence of organized retail and supermarkets also improved market access for fresh produce.

Market volume then declined to 242.7 thousand tonnes in 2021, partly due to supply chain disruptions following the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected availability. In 2022, volume stabilized at 238.8 thousand tonnes. By 2023, the market recovered to 270.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a return to growth.

In 2024, regulatory changes such as the FSSAI's draft amendments to fortification and labeling regulations were issued, while the growing popularity of e-commerce for fresh food continued to shape consumer behavior and market structure.

Production cherries in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

Southern Asia's cherry production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 282.7 thousand tons of cherries, marking a 6.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 226.0 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 13.5%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 17.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cherry production in Southern Asia reached 363.6 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 23.7%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 251.2 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 14.5% that year. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 373.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 48.7%.

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

Exports cherries from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 479 tons, with the largest decline of 6.8% that year. In 2019, exports surged by 949.6%, the biggest increase recorded. By 2020, exports peaked at 26 008 tons, reflecting a sharp rise of 67.6% from 2019. The gap between the 2018 low and 2020 high was 18-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for cherry exports in volume were Russia, accounting for 51.2% of exports, Iraq with 18.3%, and the United Arab Emirates at 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented 74.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this timeframe. Exports reached their minimum in 2018 at 1 644 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 7.9% that year. In 2019, exports jumped by 1 227.8%, the highest increase. By 2020, exports climbed to 33 448 thousand US dollars, up 53.2% year-over-year. The variation between the 2018 low and 2020 high was 20-fold.

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

During 2017-2020, the key markets for cherry exports in value terms were Russia, which held 57.9% of exports, Iraq with 20.4%, and the United Arab Emirates at 5.4%. Combined, these three markets made up 83.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cherries to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Imports fell to their lowest in 2018 at 57 tons, with the largest decline of 71.9% that year. In 2019, imports grew significantly, and by 2020, they peaked at 729 tons, a massive 678.9% increase from 2019. The fluctuation between 2018 and 2020 was 12.8 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for cherry imports in volume were China, contributing 4.3% of imports, Uzbekistan at 2.0%, and the United States with 0.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 7.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during this period. Imports dropped to their lowest in 2018 at 247 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 1.9% that year. In 2019, imports began to recover, and by 2020, they reached 2 497 thousand US dollars, a substantial increase of 612.0% year-over-year. The variation between the 2018 low and 2020 high was 10.1 times.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country dominating. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 4.4% of imports, China for 2.8%, and Turkey for 2.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 9.9% of total import flows.

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

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