Sour cherries market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The sour cherries market in Western Asia fluctuated between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 257.6 thousand tons in 2019, market volume declined over the next three years, bottoming at 227.6 thousand tons in 2022. A sharp recovery followed in 2023, when production surged to 264.5 thousand tons, driving the total market size to 267 thousand tons.

In 2024, trade flows were influenced by revisions to customs legislation for fresh fruit and vegetables, which contributed to a drop in imports to 2.2 thousand tons and a rise in exports to 2.9 thousand tons. Simultaneously, the beverage sector saw the entry of a new player, Gürok Grup, which invested $200 million in a facility producing natural and fruit-flavoured mineral waters, including sour cherry variants.

Underlying demand for sour cherries has been supported by consumer shifts toward healthier, natural products, while state-backed agricultural credits, insurance against natural disasters, and organized farming zone incentives have provided indirect support to production and processing.

Production sour cherries in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Asia produced 236.5 thousand tonnes of sour cherries, representing a 4.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.8%.

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

Exports sour cherries from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2020, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Asia exported 5 328 tonnes of sour cherries, which was 187.5% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 51.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Russia, and Belarus consistently held leading positions in the export structure by volume. Egypt accounted for 18.8% of exports, Russia for 4.2%, and Belarus for 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented 25.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Asia exported sour cherries worth 9 414 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic increase of 147.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 800 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year being 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Russia, and Belarus were the main markets for exports by value. Egypt accounted for 20.3% of export value, Russia for 5.4%, and Belarus for 3.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 28.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020, while the maximum was in 2019, with a 5.3-fold variation between these two years. In 2020, Western Asia imported 6 368 tonnes of sour cherries, which was 81.0% lower than in the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 33 501 tonnes, with the largest increase that year being 201.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Australia, and Chile played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of sour cherries to Western Asia by volume. Iran accounted for 5.4% of imports, Australia for 4.3%, and Chile for 4.1%. Together, their combined share reached only 13.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Western Asia's sour cherry imports totaled 21 499 thousand US dollars, up by 18.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 18 144 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 22 727 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports by value was highly diversified. Australia accounted for 8.8% of import value, Chile for 5.1%, and Argentina for 3.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 17.3% of total flows, with the remaining 82.7% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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