Cherries market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Spanish cherry production experienced notable volatility from 2018 to 2023, largely driven by climatic factors. The increase in 2019 was supported by a trend toward renewing scattered cultivars with more technified and regular plantations, which expanded the area of trees in productive age. However, adverse weather, including late spring frosts and rains, caused a sharp production drop in 2020. Recovery followed in 2021 as growers adapted to climate challenges and invested in improved genetics. Another significant decline hit in 2022 due to frosts, hail, and excessive rainfall in key growing regions.

Trade dynamics significantly influenced domestic market volume. In 2022, despite lower production, the domestic market grew as exports fell substantially, partly because high logistics costs and weather-affected fruit quality reduced shipments abroad. The following year, the opening of the Chinese market after a new phytosanitary protocol boosted export opportunities, though logistical and cold-storage limitations tempered immediate gains. Throughout the period, Spain faced growing competition from global players like Turkey and Chile.

Producers continuously adapted to maintain competitiveness. They focused on enhancing genetic varieties, meeting international quality certifications, and improving cold-chain logistics to cope with climate change and rising global demand. These efforts aimed to stabilize supply and access premium markets, even as extreme weather events and cost pressures persisted.

Production cherries in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain was one of the world's leading cherry producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 11th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

In 2020, Spain produced 82.7 K t of cherries, representing a 30.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 27.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 10.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 118.8 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 11.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports cherries from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's cherry exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with shipments totaling 20 195 t, a 30.2% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 33.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 34 188 t, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (23.0% of export volume), France (16.3%), and Italy (16.2%) were the largest destinations for Spain's cherry exports, together accounting for 55.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's cherry exports were valued at 73.6 M $ US, marking a 28.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 102.8 M $ US, which also experienced the largest year-on-year increase of 28.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom (25.9% of export value), Italy (15.2%), and Germany (14.8%) formed the primary group of destinations for Spain's cherry exports by value, collectively representing 55.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cherries to Spain

Imports in kind, t

The Spanish cherry import market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 180 t, with the largest decline of 30.6% occurring that year. In 2019, imports surged by 114.4%, and by 2020 they reached 4 042 t, marking a sharp 59.7% increase year-over-year. The 2020 import volume was 3.4 times higher than the 2018 minimum.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (22.4% of import volume), Greece (16.7%), and Chile (16.6%) remained the main suppliers of cherries to Spain, jointly forming 55.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import value reached its lowest point in 2018 at 7.0 M $ US, with the largest decline of 21.6% occurring that year. By 2020, import value had risen sharply to 19.1 M $ US, representing a 76.2% increase year-over-year. The 2020 value was 2.7 times higher than the 2018 minimum.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Chile (30.8% of import value), Argentina (25.6%), and Greece (11.3%) formed the core group of suppliers for Spain's cherry imports by value, together representing 67.8% of total import flows.

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

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