Sour cherries market in Iran, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the sour cherries market volume in Iran declined from 124 thousand tons to 116 thousand tons. Climatic changes and drought in major producing regions, such as Khorasan and East Azerbaijan, negatively impacted cherry yields and constrained domestic supply.

From 2021 onward, the market recovered and expanded, reaching 129 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by increased consumer demand for fresh and dried sour cherries due to growing awareness of their health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and immune system support.

In subsequent years, a heightened focus on product quality and packaging for both domestic and export markets, alongside the persistent influence of climatic conditions on production, contributed to the market's stabilization in 2023.

Production sour cherries in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran ranked fifth globally in sour cherry production.

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

In 2020, Iran produced 123.3 thousand tons of sour cherries, marking a slight decline of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 124.8 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 10.2% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Iran's sour cherry production experienced a downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 158.1 million US dollars, down 0.9% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 14.7%, averaging 4.7% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 159.5 million US dollars, accompanied by the largest annual increase of 13.4% that same year.

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

Exports sour cherries from Iran

Exports in kind, t

Sour cherry exports from Iran have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 7 174 tons, showing a 91.0% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes surged by 1 735.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 163.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia consistently made up 89.5% of Iran's total sour cherry exports by volume, highlighting a strong reliance on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a 20-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Iran's sour cherry exports totaled 9 197 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 91.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 471 thousand US dollars in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 0.9%. The most substantial increase happened in 2019, with a jump of 918.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated Iran's sour cherry exports in value terms, accounting for 89.7% of the total, with other countries collectively making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Iran

According to market analysis, Iran did not import any sour cherries from 2017 to 2020.