Cherries market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh cherries in the Netherlands showed considerable volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023, increasing overall from 16 449 t to 17 681 t. Consumer preference for seasonal and sustainably produced foods, along with supermarkets like Jumbo broadening their fresh seasonal assortments, supported deeper market penetration and stable demand in the initial years.

Production shocks driven by weather and biological factors significantly swayed market volume. The fickle winter, night frosts, and cold, wet spring of 2022 reduced bee activity and led to a harvest that was less than half of the prior year's level, explaining the market's drop to 17 122 t. Although the 2023 season started early with varieties like Burlat and Kordia, Dutch and European growers faced another lower harvest, constraining domestic supply and increasing the role of imports to maintain market volume.

By 2024, the cultivated area for sweet cherries had grown 1.5%, aided by new varieties, but production faced intense pressure from the withdrawal of authorized crop protection products against the invasive Suzuki fruit fly and stricter enforcement of usage rules. These factors created substantial uncertainty for growers and directly impacted cherry availability.

Production cherries in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 37-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Netherlands produced 12 300 t of cherries, representing a slight year-over-year increase of 0.7%. The maximum production volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 400 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 1.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a substantial rise of 3 574.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, and the peak occurred in 2020, showing a 40-fold difference. In 2020, the output of cherries in the Netherlands was valued at 58 239 K $ US, amounting to a rise of 2.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 1.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a significant rise of 3 841.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cherries from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

The Netherlands's cherry exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports came to 4 970 t, showing a significant decline of 14.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 077 t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 2.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom—remained central to exports in kind, together accounting for 71.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The Netherlands's cherry export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 23 533 K $ US, amounting to a drop of 12.8% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 28 226 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 9.6%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Germany (54.8% of exports in value terms), Belgium (14.1% of exports in value terms), and the United Kingdom (5.2% of exports in value terms) consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 74.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cherries to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, the volume of cherry imports to the Netherlands stood at 8 815 t, down by 24.7% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 29.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 15.7%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Spain (30.1% of imports in kind), Greece (29.9% of imports in kind), and Belgium (8.6% of imports in kind) remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports in kind, with a combined share of 68.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the Netherlands's cherry import volume amounted to 34 698 K $ US, representing a solid decline of 11.5% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 31 437 K $ US, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 39 227 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 24.8%.

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

In 2017–2020, three principal markets—Greece, Spain, and Belgium—together accounted for 60.7% of total imports in value terms of cherries to the Netherlands.

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

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