Sour cherries market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian sour cherry market began the period at a high level in 2018, with production reaching 38 thousand tons and market volume at 39 thousand tons. This year was marked by the launch of an innovative, fully biodegradable antimicrobial packaging solution for cherries by Grupul Cerasus, which aimed to reduce contamination risk and could support market presence.

After a decline over the following two years, production saw a modest rebound in 2021 to 34.3 thousand tons, partly due to high import prices that made domestic cherries more attractive. Despite reported expansions in cultivated area, production fell sharply in 2022 to 29 thousand tons, reflecting challenges in commercializing the harvest. The market stabilized in 2023 at 29 thousand tons, with increased area under cultivation continuing to bolster the supply of Romanian sour cherries.

Production sour cherries in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania was among the world's leading producers of sour cherries from 2017 to 2020, ranking 12th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a {ampRatio}-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania produced 33 460 tonnes of sour cherries, which is 2.5% lower than the previous year.

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

Exports sour cherries from Romania

Exports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, changing by 86 times between these years. In 2020, sour cherry deliveries from Romania amounted to 11 tonnes, reflecting a sharp improvement of 205.8% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 tonnes, with the largest decline of 95.1% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Poland, Austria, and Italy—remained central to exports in kind, together accounting for 96.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, varying by 36-fold between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sour cherries from Romania amounted to 31 000 US dollars, indicating an abrupt rise of 284.1% from the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 000 US dollars, with the largest decline of 89.0% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Poland (40.4% of exports in value terms), Austria (28.1%), and Italy (21.8%) formed the core of exports in value terms, together taking 90.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 5-fold variation between these years. Romania imported 1 463 tonnes of sour cherries in 2020, reflecting a sharp increase of 32.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 316.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Greece were the dominant sources for imports in kind of sour cherries to Romania, jointly accounting for 82.2% of total flows, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sour cherry deliveries to Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 1 279 000 US dollars, amounting to a dramatic rise of 52.1% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports grew by 330.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 62.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary and Serbia concentrated the majority of imports in value terms of sour cherries to Romania, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

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