Sour cherries market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The sour cherry market in Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, began the period at 812 thousand tons in 2018 before contracting to 701 thousand tons in 2019. A recovery to 740 thousand tons followed in 2020, underpinned by strong consumer demand, with sales of cherries and sweet cherries in Russia having grown 26% between 2015 and 2019. This resurgence was also supported by increased domestic production, facilitated by the expansion of planting areas, improved agricultural technologies, and significant new investments like Miratorg's 1.5 billion ruble facility launch.

Market growth continued through 2021 and 2022, with volumes reaching 777 thousand and 806 thousand tons respectively. This expansion was driven by further increases in cultivated areas and the emergence of new product segments such as frozen berries, which helped stimulate year-round consumption. Regulatory shifts, including new restrictions on imports from certain countries, altered supply structures and incentivized local production, while evolving consumer preferences towards healthier diets and fresh produce provided additional momentum.

The market volume declined to 733 thousand tons in 2023, a movement that coincided with higher berry prices and inflationary pressures. During this period, new players entered the market, and the industry saw increased digitization, including the adoption of BIM technologies. By 2024, the share of domestic production in the total sour cherry supply had risen to 41%, a trend supported by the commissioning of new large-scale processing facilities and the tightening of national labeling and packaging standards.

Production sour cherries in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), sour cherry production reached 754.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 6.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 44.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 830.1 thousand tonnes. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 15.0%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 59.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sour cherries from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, sour cherry exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded in 2020. Export volume reached 22 000 tonnes, representing a 23.6% increase compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21%, averaging an annual decline of 7.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 17 796 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 35.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria were the key contributors to sour cherry exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in volume terms. Germany accounted for 53.4% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 3.3% and Austria at 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented 59.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, sour cherry exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased in value in 2020. The region exported sour cherries worth 22 121 thousand US dollars, up 7.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value fell by 37.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 581 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 35.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and Serbia—collectively accounted for 61.7% of the total value of sour cherry exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia).

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports sour cherries to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported 8 130 tonnes of sour cherries, a sharp decline of 37.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 29.2%, with a CAGR of -10.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 100 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 32.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, sour cherry imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in volume terms were relatively diversified. Serbia led with 27.2% of imports, followed by Greece at 6.8% and Iran at 6.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 40.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Sour cherry imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 11 274 thousand US dollars in 2020, down 32.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 29.2%, with a CAGR of -10.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 16 626 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Serbia, Iran, and Greece were the primary sources for sour cherry imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Serbia accounted for 35.8% of imports, Iran for 10.1%, and Greece for 6.6%. Combined, these three countries represented 52.5% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020