Cherries market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the U.S. fresh cherries market volume showed considerable variation, starting at 373.7 thousand tons in 2018, falling to 301.2 thousand tons in 2020, recovering to 349.5 thousand tons in 2021, declining again to 294.0 thousand tons in 2022, and then reaching 350.3 thousand tons in 2023.

The market's growth in 2023 was primarily supported by significant capacity investments and stronger consumer interest. Superfresh Growers' upgrade to a state-of-the-art packing line directly increased sweet cherry production, while targeted health marketing campaigns, such as those linked to the Paris Olympics, amplified cherries' appeal as a nutrient-rich snack.

In 2024, product variety expanded with Melissa’s Produce launching Tasmanian cherries, and global trade patterns—notably record cherry exports from Chile to China—started to affect price competitiveness within the U.S. market.

Production cherries in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States ranked as the world's second-largest producer of cherries.

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

Cherry production in the United States declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 358.4 thousand tonnes, marking an 18.2% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 30.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of cherry production in the United States rebounded. In 2020, production was valued at 2 695 million US dollars, showing a modest 4.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, however, the overall value decreased by 9.1%, averaging a 3.1% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 578 million US dollars, with the sharpest drop occurring in 2018 at 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cherries from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Cherry exports from the United States fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 67.3 thousand tonnes, down 20.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports decreased by 40%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, China, and South Korea were the top destinations for US cherry exports by volume. Canada accounted for 31.3% of exports, China for 16.7%, and South Korea for 16.6%, together making up 64.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of US cherry exports rose. In 2020, exports were valued at 505.9 million US dollars, a 2.0% increase over the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 21.7%, averaging a 7.8% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2019 at 496.2 million US dollars, with the largest drop in 2018 at 19.3%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Canada, South Korea, and China were the leading markets for US cherry exports. Canada represented 24.3% of export value, South Korea 23.2%, and China 16.3%, collectively accounting for 63.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cherries to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Cherry imports into the United States declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume was 10.1 thousand tonnes, a slight 2.3% decrease from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 13.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 21.5%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 10.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile and Canada dominated US cherry imports by volume, jointly capturing 84.5% of total flows, with other markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, US cherry imports were valued at 78.4 million US dollars, a 16.0% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 2.3%, averaging a 0.8% annual growth. The lowest value was in 2019 at 67.6 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 82.5 million US dollars, with the steepest decline in 2019 at 18.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and Canada remained the primary sources for US cherry imports by value, together accounting for 83.6% of total flows, while other partners contributed a smaller share.

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

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