Sour cherries market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh sour cherries in Western Europe experienced a pronounced contraction between 2018 and 2023, with its total volume falling from 59 thousand tons to 29 thousand tons. This decline was interrupted only by a temporary rebound in 2020, before resuming a downward trajectory through the following years.

By 2023, the market volume had dropped to 29 thousand tons. This decrease was directly linked to a 17.5% lower cherry harvest in Germany, a key producing country, caused by unfavorable weather conditions that damaged crops. Simultaneously, the ongoing reduction in land dedicated to sour cherry cultivation further limited domestic production and supply to the market.

The challenges for production continued into 2024, with the German sour cherry harvest reaching a ten-year low of just 7 300 tons. This was due to a persistent decline in cultivation area and damaging weather events like late frosts. Consumer preferences in the region also continued to shift towards sweet cherries, while the majority of sour cherries were utilized for processed goods like jams and juices.

Production sour cherries in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to a peak in 2018, representing a 2.9-fold increase. In 2020, Western Europe produced 22 160 tonnes of sour cherries, down 13.5% from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 26 030 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 194.3% also occurring that year.

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

Exports sour cherries from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe's sour cherry exports totaled 923 tonnes, a 54.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Exports peaked in 2019 at 2 044 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 51.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 46.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 19.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for sour cherry exports from Western Europe were Poland, accounting for 11.2% of exports in volume, Italy with 5.0%, and Hungary at 1.2%. Together, these three countries represented 17.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sour cherry exports from Western Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 2 990 thousand US dollars, down 29.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 42.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of sour cherry exports from Western Europe was widely distributed across partner countries. Poland accounted for 8.0% of export value, Italy for 3.4%, and Sweden for 3.0%. Combined, these three markets represented just 14.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe imported 31 922 tonnes of sour cherries, up 34.0% year-over-year. Imports reached their highest level in 2018 at 34 795 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 55.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 31.5% drop. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 42.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary was the leading source for sour cherry imports into Western Europe, accounting for 32.3% of import volume, followed by Poland at 21.0% and Serbia at 20.2%. Together, these three countries made up 73.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign sour cherry supplies to Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value was recorded at 26 191 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 6.1% rise compared to 2019. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 24 281 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 11.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary was the principal source for sour cherry imports into Western Europe in value terms, accounting for 36.1% of import value. Poland followed with 15.3%, and Serbia with 14.6%. Jointly, these three countries represented 66.0% of total import flows.

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

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