Cherry and Sour Cherry Market

The global cherry and sour cherry market is projected to grow steadily from 2022 to 2030, with consumption, production, imports, and exports all showing positive trends. Consumption volume is forecast to reach 5.1M tons by 2030, with the market value expected to increase to $20.1B. China, the United States, and Turkey are among the largest consumers and producers of cherries and sour cherries. Chile is the leading exporting country, with significant growth in both volume and value terms. Prices and trends vary among different countries, with the market showing resilience and steady growth overall.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for cherries and sour cherries worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $20.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Cherries and Sour Cherries

After two years of growth, consumption of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -1.2% to 4.4M tons in 2022. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 4.4M tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

The global cherry and sour cherry market size totaled $14.9B in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Turkey (775K tons), Russia (446K tons) and China (403K tons), with a combined 37% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +18.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cherry and sour cherry markets worldwide were China ($2.9B), the United States ($2.4B) and Turkey ($2.1B), together comprising 50% of the global market.

China, with a CAGR of +18.8%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of cherry and sour cherry per capita consumption was registered in Serbia (25 kg per person), followed by Turkey (9.1 kg per person), Uzbekistan (7.7 kg per person) and Poland (6.9 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of cherry and sour cherry was estimated at 0.6 kg per person.

In Serbia, cherry and sour cherry per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Turkey (+1.2% per year) and Uzbekistan (+9.0% per year).

Production

World Production of Cherries and Sour Cherries

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in production of cherries and sour cherries, which increased by 1.4% to 4.4M tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 8.8%. Global production peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a noticeable increase of the harvested area and modest growth in yield figures.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry production reduced to $13.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $14.4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Turkey (833K tons), Chile (444K tons) and Russia (357K tons), with a combined 37% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Chile (with a CAGR of +17.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

In 2022, the global average yield of cherries and sour cherries totaled 6.5 tons per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 10%. The global yield peaked at 6.5 tons per ha in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the global cherry and sour cherry harvested area reached 677K ha, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 2.6%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cherry and sour cherry production attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports

World Imports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

After four years of growth, purchases abroad of cherries and sour cherries decreased by -9.7% to 982K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 36%. Global imports peaked at 1.1M tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry imports expanded notably to $5.5B in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 37%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (367K tons), distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (224K tons), Russia (90K tons) and Germany (53K tons) represented the main importers of cherries and sour cherries, together creating 75% of total imports. The following importers - the United States (24K tons), Canada (19K tons), Austria (19K tons) and the UK (15K tons) - each resulted at a 7.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +24.3%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.8B) constitutes the largest market for imported cherries and sour cherries worldwide, comprising 50% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Hong Kong SAR ($1.3B), with a 24% share of global imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 2.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +24.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Hong Kong SAR (+18.3% per year) and the United States (+11.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average cherry and sour cherry import price stood at $5,594 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($7,537 per ton), while Russia ($1,646 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+5.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Cherries and Sour Cherries

For the ninth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in overseas shipments of cherries and sour cherries, which increased by 0.9% to 982K tons in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 32%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, cherry and sour cherry exports totaled $4.5B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 37% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

Chile was the largest exporting country with an export of around 397K tons, which finished at 40% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (237K tons) and Turkey (58K tons), together committing a 30% share of total exports. The United States (42K tons), Azerbaijan (29K tons), Spain (28K tons), Uzbekistan (26K tons) and Greece (24K tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Hong Kong SAR (with a CAGR of +26.1%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Chile ($2B), Hong Kong SAR ($1.3B) and the United States ($341M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 81% of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +29.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average cherry and sour cherry export price stood at $4,583 per ton in 2022, increasing by 5.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $4,806 per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($8,091 per ton), while Uzbekistan ($1,299 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+5.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform