Sour cherries market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sour cherries in Northern Europe contracted significantly from 4 676 tonnes in 2018 to 2 557 tonnes in 2020. A recovery began in 2021, with volume reaching 2 771 tonnes, followed by a sharp increase to 3 845 tonnes in 2022.

The market's strong growth in 2022 aligned with a global rise in demand for cherries, driven by increased consumer focus on health benefits and the expansion of innovative product applications like functional beverages and supplements, which stimulated consumption in the region. By 2023, the market volume moderated to 3 569 tonnes.

Production sour cherries in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

Sour cherry production in Northern Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2,220 tonnes of sour cherries, which represents a 28.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 39.4%, with an average annual decline of 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sour cherries from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 606 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 2,756 tonnes, resulting in a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sour cherries from Northern Europe reached 723 tonnes, marking a solid increase of 19.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 78.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 210.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus remained the leading buyer of sour cherries from Northern Europe, accounting for 75.6% of total exports in volume, while the remainder was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of sour cherries from Northern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2,038 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest gain of 6.8% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 260.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 53.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—the Netherlands, Belarus, and South Africa—were central to exports in value terms, together accounting for 64.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1,018 tonnes, while the highest was observed in 2018 at 4,012 tonnes, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.9 times. In 2020, Northern Europe imported approximately 1,060 tonnes of sour cherries, up by 4.1% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 74.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 100.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (26.3% of imports in volume), Poland (18.7%), and Italy (15.7%) played leading roles in sour cherry imports to Northern Europe, jointly accounting for 60.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of sour cherries to Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 2,765 thousand US dollars, down by 12.5% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4,632 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 31.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 51.7%.

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

In 2017–2020, three main markets—Greece, the Netherlands, and Poland—together absorbed 57.2% of total imports in value terms of sour cherries to Northern Europe.

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

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