Sour cherries market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The sour cherry market in Germany began the period with a high volume of 43,500 t in 2018, supported by an excellent harvest that more than doubled compared to the previous year due to favorable weather conditions. Growing consumer awareness of health benefits and strong import flows from Turkey, Greece, and Spain also contributed to market activity. However, by 2019, the market volume contracted to 32,417 t as seasonal fluctuations and regional disparities in production became more pronounced, while growers increasingly adopted protective nets against weather and pests to mitigate risks.

Market volume experienced a temporary increase to 38,598 t in 2020 driven by higher imports, but a sustained decline followed thereafter. From 2022, a clear downturn was observed as shrinking cultivation areas for sour cherries led to lower domestic harvests. Simultaneously, consumer consumption fell, partly because rising retail prices—stemming from increased production costs—made cherries less affordable, accelerating the market contraction to 23,793 t.

The decline deepened through 2023 and 2024. Sour cherry harvests continued to drop, reaching a ten-year low of approximately 7,300 t in 2024 due to a combination of reduced planted area and adverse weather events like late frosts. Consumer preferences increasingly favored sweet cherries for fresh eating, while the vast majority of domestically grown sour cherries were directed to processing, further reducing the volume available on the fresh market. These factors, alongside sustained but lower import levels, resulted in a fresh sour cherry market volume of just 16,808 t in 2023.

Production sour cherries in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 14th globally in sour cherry production volume.

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 at 15 900 tonnes, representing a 92.3% increase from the previous year. In 2020, production fell to 13 190 tonnes, marking a significant decline of 16.1% compared to 2019. Overall, the difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017 was 1.9 times.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sour cherries from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's sour cherry exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 405 tonnes, which represents a significant 17.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 620 tonnes, marking a 36.9% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria formed the main cluster of markets for Germany's sour cherry exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 45.9% of exports, Poland for 23.6%, and Austria for 10.1%, together representing 79.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's sour cherry exports totalled 400 thousand US dollars, indicating a significant decline of 18.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 35%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 24.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 5.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria were the main destinations for Germany's sour cherry exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 37.4% of export value, Poland for 25.1%, and Austria for 12.7%, together representing 75.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Germany

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany's sour cherry imports stood at 25 813 tonnes, representing an abrupt increase of 50.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 43.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 17 186 tonnes, marking a 39.1% decline from 2018. The highest volume was in 2018 at 28 219 tonnes, which represented a 56.9% increase from 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Czechia continued to head the list of suppliers of sour cherries to Germany in volume terms. Hungary accounted for 37.7% of imports, Poland for 26.1%, and Czechia for 12.6%, jointly taking 76.4% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year reduction, Germany's sour cherry imports increased in 2020, totalling 18 176 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a rise of 9.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 592 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Czechia remained the principal suppliers of sour cherries to Germany in value terms. Hungary accounted for 46.2% of import value, Poland for 20.2%, and Czechia for 10.6%, jointly accounting for 77.0% of total import value.

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

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