Sour cherries market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh sour cherry market in Southern Europe exhibited considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. In 2018, market volume stood at 160.3 thousand tonnes, supported by rising consumer health awareness, which boosted demand for cherries due to their nutritional benefits, and the dominant role of supermarkets and hypermarkets in distribution. However, the market contracted sharply to 119.0 thousand tonnes in 2019 before rebounding strongly to 197.1 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Following the 2020 peak, market size moderated to 181.9 thousand tonnes in 2021, then rose again to 201.2 thousand tonnes in 2022. In 2023, volume declined to 178.3 thousand tonnes. During this period, technological innovations such as automated packaging technologies and AI-based platforms for cherry selection and grading were introduced in key producing countries, aiming to enhance supply chain efficiency and product quality globally.

Production sour cherries in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Europe's sour cherry production hit its lowest point at 135.2 thousand tons, marking a significant decline of 21.3%. However, the following year saw a dramatic turnaround, with production surging by 52.8% year-over-year to reach 206.5 thousand tons in 2020. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 51.3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 14.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market for sour cherries in Southern Europe showed considerable volatility during these years. Production reached its lowest value in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, the output was valued at 378.9 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 84.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when the value dropped by 18.9%.

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

Exports sour cherries from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 14 575 tons of sour cherries, which was 30.8% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 34.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 13.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when exports grew by 34.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Russia, and Austria were the top buyers of sour cherries from Southern Europe, accounting for 29.0%, 12.3%, and 10.5% of exports in kind respectively. Together, these three countries represented 51.8% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's sour cherry exports were valued at 26 737 thousand US dollars, representing a 16.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17.9%, with an average annual decline rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 23 120 thousand US dollars, which marked a significant decline of 29.0% that year. However, exports rebounded in 2019 with a substantial increase of 38.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Russia, and Austria formed the key group of trading partners for Southern Europe's sour cherry exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 33.5% of export value, Russia for 12.8%, and Austria for 5.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 51.8% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's sour cherry imports continued to grow for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 5 150 tons, showing a modest increase of 4.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 17.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 173 tons, which represented a decline of 4.7% that year. However, imports rebounded strongly in 2019 with an 18.3% increase.

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

The import structure for sour cherries in Southern Europe was quite diversified between 2017 and 2020. Hungary accounted for 7.9% of imports in kind, Austria for 7.1%, and Czechia for 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 17.4% of total import flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position in the market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's sour cherry imports continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported sour cherries worth 9 494 thousand US dollars, representing a 12.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased substantially by 110.8%, translating to an impressive average annual growth rate of 28.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Hungary, and Germany played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of sour cherries to Southern Europe. Austria accounted for 4.1% of import value, Hungary for 3.1%, and Germany for 2.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 9.3% of total imports in value terms during this period.

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

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