Sour cherries market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian sour cherry market volume stood at 65 219 t in 2018. It declined to 52 240 t by 2020, as rising costs for energy, labor, and raw materials increased grower prices, affecting overall demand and supply.

Market volume stabilized around 51 102 t in 2021, constrained by continued cost inflation in processing and a reduction in export volumes due to quality issues. A 15% larger harvest in 2022 lifted volume to 55 997 t, though unfavorable weather caused fruit drop and signaled a future contraction. In 2023, drought and adverse weather significantly reduced the crop, while European consumption fell 10-20% due to inflation, pulling market volume down to 50 818 t.

Industry reports for 2024 indicated a smaller sour cherry crop in Hungary and the EU due to poor weather, maintaining seller's market conditions and high prices. By 2025, extremely low harvest and stock levels kept the market tight, with grower prices reaching 600-700 Ft/kg and retail prices exceeding 2 500 Ft/kg, while pick-your-own programs offered consumers a more affordable alternative.

Production sour cherries in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Hungary ranked as the world's eighth-largest producer of sour cherries.

Top producers of sour cherries, 2018-2021

World map of production of sour cherries, 2018-2021

Hungary's sour cherry production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 60 530 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 27.6%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports sour cherries from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Hungary exported 10 187 tonnes of sour cherries, an 8.4% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports dropped by 46.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 18.9%. The sharpest fall occurred in 2019, at 45.9%, while the largest increase was in 2020, at 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Austria, and Poland were the primary destinations for Hungary's sour cherry exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 69.2% of exports, Austria for 7.4%, and Poland for 6.1%, together making up 82.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Hungary's sour cherry export value declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 8 372 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 13.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 32.5%, with an average annual decline of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Germany remained the leading destination for Hungary's sour cherry exports in value terms, capturing 72.6% of total flows, while other smaller markets shared the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports sour cherries to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

The import volume of sour cherries into Hungary showed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports totaled 759 tonnes, a sharp decline of 60.1% compared to 2020. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 154 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 478.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Serbia, Poland, and Germany were the largest suppliers of sour cherries to Hungary in volume terms. Serbia contributed 53.9% of imports, Poland 13.8%, and Germany 10.1%, together accounting for 77.8% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Hungary's sour cherry import value exhibited an unstable trend during this period. Values varied 6.4 times from the low in 2018 to the high in 2019. In 2021, import value totaled 483 thousand US dollars, down 52.0% from the previous year. The peak value was in 2019 at 2 291 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2020 at 56.1% and the largest increase in 2019 at 543.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia, Poland, and Germany were the main sources of sour cherry imports to Hungary in value terms. Serbia accounted for 48.5% of imports, Poland for 20.3%, and Germany for 9.7%, together making up 78.6% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021