Sour cherries market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Polish sour cherry market volume showed notable fluctuations. It started at 194.2 thousand tonnes in 2018, then fell sharply to 147.6 thousand tonnes in 2019. The market stabilized around 148.8 thousand tonnes in 2020 before entering a growth phase, reaching 159.8 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 180.1 thousand tonnes in 2022. In 2023, volume declined to 165.4 thousand tonnes.

In 2024, the sour cherry cultivation area in Poland expanded to 819 hectares, indicating increased domestic production potential. Market dynamics were shaped by high raw material prices, driven by strong demand from large processing companies and low stocks of frozen cherries. Seasonal harvesting from June to August and weather conditions continued to influence availability and prices. Import volume rose to 3.3 thousand tonnes, while exports fell to 2.6 thousand tonnes.

Production sour cherries in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Poland ranked as the 4th largest producer of sour cherries between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with a 2.8-fold increase from the previous year. In 2020, Poland produced 155.5 K t of sour cherries, which was 2.3% higher than in 2019. The maximum production volume was recorded in 2018 at 200.6 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 24.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 180.2%.

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

Exports sour cherries from Poland

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export levels fluctuated 5.2 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Poland's cross-border shipments of sour cherries totaled 6 984 t, marking a 34.1% increase compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 119 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 26.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, jumping by 418.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belarus, and the Netherlands formed the core group of markets for Poland's sour cherry exports in kind. Germany accounted for 69.0% of exports, Belarus for 9.9%, and the Netherlands for 4.1%, together representing 83.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values fluctuated 3.2 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Poland's cross-border shipments of sour cherries were valued at 6 983 K $ US, showing a sharp rise of 29.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, decreasing by 3.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, climbing by 154.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany dominated Poland's sour cherry exports in value terms, accounting for 71.4% of total flows, while other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Poland

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import levels varied by 13.5 times, from a high in 2017 to a low in 2020. In 2020, Poland's sour cherry import volume reached 323 t, equivalent to a drop of 62.3% versus the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 85.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 31.8%.

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

In 2017–2020, three principal markets—Hungary, Serbia, and Greece—together accounted for 82.9% of total sour cherry imports in kind to Poland.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values showed a 10-fold gap, with the highest in 2017 and the lowest in 2018. In 2020, Poland's imported sour cherry volumes totaled 683 K $ US, constituting an intense reduction of 54.0% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 458 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 90.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 225.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, Hungary, Greece, and Serbia consistently remained the main destinations for Poland's sour cherry imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 39.3% of imports, Greece for 19.0%, and Serbia for 16.1%, together making up 74.4% of total flows.

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

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