Sour cherries market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the sour cherry market volume in CIS increased from 385.2 thousand tons to 441.0 thousand tons. This growth was initially supported by a sharp rise in imports, particularly from Turkey and Azerbaijan, which added to supply in 2018. The following year, imports declined, but domestic production expanded as the harvest in Russia grew substantially over the preceding five-year period. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic altered retail sales and consumer behavior, yet the market continued to grow due to increased industrial processing and the ongoing development of new production facilities equipped with modern cultivation techniques.

Market volume rose further to 451.3 thousand tons in 2021 and peaked at 481.0 thousand tons in 2022. The increase in 2021 was driven by the expansion of planted areas and the adoption of high-yield cherry varieties, along with the emergence of new product segments such as fresh and frozen berries. In 2022, sanctions and trade restrictions reshaped import and export flows, prompting a greater focus on domestic production, which was bolstered by continued investment in new production capacity. By 2023, the market volume dipped to 459.2 thousand tons, even as revenue from cherry sales grew across Russian regions, indicating a shift toward higher-value segments amid rising prices that affected volume consumption.

By 2024, the share of domestically produced sour cherries in the CIS market had risen to 41%, as new production areas came online and farmers increasingly utilized high-productivity varieties and modern cultivation methods. Despite macroeconomic headwinds and elevated prices, the premium segment of the market continued to grow, reflecting evolving consumer preferences.

Production sour cherries in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

Sour cherry production in the CIS has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 436.3 thousand tonnes, which represents a 12.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 47.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sour cherry production in the CIS has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 812.5 million US dollars, showing a significant 17.2% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 87.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.4%.

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

Exports sour cherries from CIS

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, sour cherry exports from the CIS reached 892 tonnes, up 34.7% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 41.1%, with an average annual decline of 16.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 662 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 1 715 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 61.4% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkmenistan and Poland were the main destinations for sour cherry exports in volume terms, together accounting for 1.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, sour cherry exports from the CIS amounted to 1 661 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 40.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 25%, with an average annual decline of 9.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 184 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 675 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 55.7% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland and Turkmenistan contributed the most to sour cherry exports in value terms, together representing 1.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Sour cherry imports into the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 5 535 tonnes, a sharp 27.0% decrease from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 831 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 59.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Iran, and Lebanon were important suppliers of sour cherries to the CIS in volume terms, accounting for 24.5%, 11.2%, and 5.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 41.6% of total imports, while the remaining 58.4% was distributed among many other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sour cherry imports into the CIS fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 8 492 thousand US dollars, down 27.3% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 12 180 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 51.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Serbia, Iran, and Lebanon remained the key partners for sour cherry imports in value terms, accounting for 39.0%, 16.6%, and 7.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 63.0% of total flows.

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

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