In 2022, the world saw a big jump in cherry production, reaching 4,358,852 metric tonnes. This was a 1.9% increase from the year before¹. This shows how much more people want cherries and how important they are in farming worldwide.

Turkey took the top spot as the biggest cherry producer, making over 19% of the world’s cherries in 2022¹. This is a huge achievement for Turkey in the cherry market.

Key Takeaways

• Turkey is the world’s largest cherry producer, accounting for over 19% of global output in 2022.
• The total world cherry production in 2022 was estimated at 4,358,852 metric tonnes, a 1.9% increase from the previous year.
• Other major cherry-producing countries include Chile, Russia, the United States, and Uzbekistan.
• Cherry production levels have fluctuated in certain countries like Poland, Iran, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Germany.
• Turkey, Russia, and Uzbekistan have shown consistent growth in cherry production over the years.

Introduction to Global Cherry Production

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Cherries are grown all over the world, making them a popular fruit². The United States is a big producer, but Turkey leads the way²³. The cherry season starts in April in the Northern Hemisphere and November in the Southern Hemisphere. Things like the weather, soil, and how farmers work affect how many cherries are made.

In the United States, Washington, California, and Oregon grow most of the sweet cherries². Michigan is where most tart cherries are made, making up almost 74% of them². In 2022, the U.S. made 275,000 tons of sweet cherries and 229 million pounds of tart cherries³.

The U.S. is a big part of the cherry trade, with sweet cherries worth $456.4 million in 2021². Canada and South Korea buy the most U.S. sweet cherries, while the U.K. buys the most dried cherries². But the U.S. also buys cherries, getting $95.7 million worth from Chile in 2021²³.,

People in the U.S. ate 2.2 pounds of cherries each in 2016, the most was 2.5 pounds in 2009². Sweet and tart cherries are sold from April to August in the U.S., with most going fresh and some for processing²³.,

For cherries to grow well, they need the right pollination. Tart cherries can pollinate themselves, but sweet cherries need another variety². Sweet cherries take 4-7 years and tart cherries take 3-5 years to start producing a lot².

Turkey: Leading the Way in Cherry Cultivation

Turkey is the top cherry producer worldwide, making up over 19% of global production in 2022⁴. Its perfect climate and large farmlands help it lead in cherry farming⁴. In 2022, Turkey grew 832,811 metric tons of cherries, a bit less than the year before⁵.

Geographical Advantages and Farming Practices

Cherry production in Turkey has grown a lot, from 215,000 tons in 1997 to 732,000 tons in 2020⁴. This growth is thanks to Turkey’s great location and modern farming methods⁴. Institutes like Uludağ University and Eğirdir Horticultural Research Institute have helped find the best cherries for Turkey’s climate⁴.

Studies show ‘Regina’ and ‘Kordia’ cherries are great for export because they don’t crack easily⁴. At Çukurova University, they found more cherries perfect for different times of the year and markets⁴.

Cherry production in Turkey has been growing steadily, by 3.1% each year from 2017 to 2022⁵. In 2022, the yield per hectare was 8.6 tons, up 2.4% from the year before⁵. Turkey’s good location and farming methods have made it a top cherry producer⁴⁵.

“The growth rate of cherry production in Turkey averaged +2.5% annually from 2017 to 2022, and the value of cherry production surged to $1.8B in 2022.”⁵

Turkey’s cherry success shows its dedication to innovation and sustainable farming. With growing demand for quality cherries, Turkey is set to remain a top supplier⁶.

Chile: The Rising Star in Cherry Exports

Chile has quickly become a big name in the cherry industry worldwide. It has grown its production and exports a lot in recent years⁷. In 2022, Chile made 443,661 metric tons of cherries, up from 386,300 metric tons the year before. This made it the second-biggest cherry producer globally⁸. The country now has about 73 thousand hectares of cherry trees. It plans to add more, aiming for 3,500 hectares by 2024 and maybe 100 thousand hectares by 2030⁸.

Chile’s location in the Southern Hemisphere and good growing conditions let it take advantage of market opportunities⁹. Its cherry exports jumped from about 19 million boxes (95,000 tons) in the 2016-17 season to over 70 million boxes (350,000 tons) in the 2021-22 season⁹. Most of Chile’s cherry exports go to China these days⁹.

The Chilean cherry industry is set to grow even more. The Cherry Committee of Chile’s Fruit Exporters’ Association (ASOEX) sees the U.S. market becoming more important for exports⁹. By 2030, Chile might export up to 140 million boxes of cherries, almost double the 2021-22 season’s amount⁹. The goal is to increase U.S. market sales a lot in the next five years⁹.

The “top 3” cherry types Chile exports are Lapins, Santina, and Regina⁸. Last season, Chile sent 376 million kilos of fresh cherries to China, which was 91% of its total cherry exports⁸. Chile’s postharvest cherry industry is seen as the most advanced and efficient worldwide⁸.

“Chile remains the top global exporter of fresh cherries, despite challenges from COVID-19 impacting the supply chain.”

As Chile keeps growing in the global cherry industry, its focus on expanding markets, investing in infrastructure, and keeping quality high will be key to its success⁷⁹⁸.

Russia: A Major Player in the Cherry Industry

Russia is a big name in the cherry production world, coming in third with 356,600 metric tons in 2022¹⁰. Its varied climate and regions help it keep up a steady cherry output. Some areas, like the Black Sea coast, are perfect for cherries. But, others struggle with harsh weather.

Climatic Conditions and Regional Variations

In Russia, the central and eastern parts, including the Volga and Ural Federal Districts, are great for cherry production in Eastern Europe¹⁰. They have a climate that’s warm in summer and cold in winter, perfect for cherries. But, the Far East and Siberia face tough weather like late spring frosts and heavy rain, making Russian cherry industry harder¹⁰.

This table shows how Russia’s cherry production varies by region. The Volga and Ural Federal Districts play a big part¹⁰.

The Largest Cherry Producers in the World 2022

The global cherry industry is led by a few top countries. They make a big part of the world’s cherries. In 2022, the top five countries were:

1. Turkey, which produced 832,811 metric tons of cherries¹.
2. Chile, with a production of 443,661 metric tons¹.
3. Russia, producing 356,600 metric tons¹.
4. The United States, with a production of 320,960 metric tons¹.
5. Uzbekistan, producing 297,676 metric tons¹.

Cherries from Chile are known for their consistent quality, dark rich color, and perfectly sweet flavor.¹¹ Chile is the second-biggest cherry producer. Its production went from 95,289 tons in 2016/17 to over 350,000 tons in 2021/22¹¹.

The top cherry producing countries in 2022 show how a few countries lead the cherry industry. They all add to the global cherry production statistics¹.

United States: A Powerhouse in Cherry Production

The United States is a big player in the global US cherry production, ranking fourth with 320,960 metric tons in 2022¹². The country’s American cherry industry is strong in certain states. California, Washington, and Oregon lead the way. They have the right climate and farming methods, making the US cherry industry strong.

Top Cherry-Producing States

Washington State is the top cherry producer, making over 50% of the total. In 2022, it produced 236,000 tons of sweet cherries¹³. California is second, making about 95,000 tons of sweet cherries that year¹³. Oregon is also a big producer, making nearly 50,000 tons of sweet cherries every year¹³.

Michigan is the leader in tart cherry production, making over 70% of the nation’s tart cherries. It also produces around 20,000 tons of sweet cherries each year¹³. Other states like New York, Utah, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Montana add to the variety of cherries in the American cherry industry¹³.

The US cherry production and the American cherry industry are big in the global cherry trade. They show the country’s diverse growing areas and unique cherry types¹². The top cherry producing states in the US keep the industry going strong, meeting the demand for this tasty and versatile fruit¹²¹³.

Uzbekistan: Emerging as a Significant Supplier

Uzbekistan is becoming a big name in the world of cherry production¹⁴. In 2022, it produced 297,676 metric tons of cherries, making it the fifth-largest producer worldwide¹⁵. This shows Uzbekistan’s growing role in the cherry trade, thanks to its good climate for growing cherries.

Even with challenges like weather issues affecting other crops¹⁴, Uzbekistan’s cherry industry is strong. But, its cherry exports dropped by 2.4 times in 2022¹⁴. This is partly because of quality issues that make it hard to sell cherries in top markets¹⁶.

Still, Uzbekistan is a rising star in the cherry world, aiming to beat Spain as a top exporter¹⁵. To reach its goals, it needs to improve cherry quality and its post-harvest systems¹⁵. By doing this, Uzbekistan can strengthen its spot in the global cherry market and meet the growing demand for quality cherries.

As Uzbekistan grows in the global cherry market, adapting and innovating will be key¹⁶. With a focus on quality and investments in post-harvest, Uzbekistan is set to become a bigger cherry supplier in the future.

Poland: A Prominent European Producer

Poland is a big cherry producer in Europe, ranking sixth globally with 260,400 metric tons in 2022¹⁷. It’s known for its wide range of cherry types, including sweet and sour cherries. These cherries meet different market needs¹⁷. Polish cherries are known for their quality and have made their mark in both local and international markets.

Varieties and Market Opportunities

In 2021, Poland led the EU in cherry production, making up 56% of the EU’s total¹⁷. It was the fourth-largest cherry producer worldwide that year, after Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey¹⁷. The country’s cherry farming grew by 10% in 2022, reaching 1.83 thousand tonnes¹⁷.

Poland is also a big player in other fruits like raspberries and currants. In 2021, it was the fourth-largest raspberry producer globally¹⁷. The country’s raspberry production went up by 1% in 2022, reaching 105 thousand tonnes¹⁷. Poland was the second-largest currant producer in 2021, making up 74% of the EU’s total¹⁷. The country produced 142 thousand tonnes of currants in 2022, a 6% drop from the year before¹⁷.

Polish fruit exports have been on the rise, reaching EUR 713 million in 2022¹⁷. Apples made up 42% of fruit export earnings in 2022, with 733 thousand tonnes sold for EUR 297 million¹⁷.

“Poland is the largest producer of cherries in the EU, with a significant share of the global market. The country’s diverse cherry varieties and high-quality products have opened up opportunities in both domestic and international markets.”

Iran and Ukraine: Maintaining Steady Output

Even though they’re not at the top, Iran and Ukraine keep producing a lot of cherries every year. Iran made 239,445 metric tons of cherries in 2022¹⁸. Ukraine produced 238,420 metric tons¹⁸. These countries are important in their regions and add to the global cherry market.

Iran has kept its cherry production steady, showing it can always supply a good amount. Ukraine has also stuck with the cherry business, even when things got tough¹⁸.

The Middle East and Eastern Europe have many cherry producers. Iran and Ukraine show how these areas can greatly impact the cherry industry, even if they’re not the biggest producers¹⁸.

Challenges and Opportunities in Global Cherry Trade

The global cherry industry faces many challenges, especially the big impact of climate change. Extreme weather events, like unpredictable spring weather, have caused big crop failures in places like Northern Michigan. Growers there have seen four crop failures in the last 20 years because of these weather changes¹⁹.

Climate change isn’t the only issue. The cherry industry also worries about being sustainable. Recently, growers have been concerned about dumping practices from countries like Turkey. This has hurt the local market¹⁹. To deal with these issues, growers are trying new things. They’re moving into sweet cherries, fresh apples, and other fruits. This helps them adapt to changing tastes and reduce risks¹⁹.

Climate Change and Sustainability Concerns

Climate change is really affecting cherry production. Things like extreme weather, changes in rain, and temperature shifts are messing with harvest times and supply¹⁹. To tackle these problems, the industry is looking for new ways to be more sustainable and strong²⁰.

Even with the challenges, the global cherry trade has big opportunities. It’s expected to grow from $59.61 billion in 2022 to $114.29 billion by 2031. This growth is thanks to more global trade, new products, and smart marketing²⁰. Places like the Asia Pacific are becoming important for growth. They’re seeing more demand for fresh cherries in foods and drinks²⁰.

As the industry deals with challenges and looks at new chances, growers and producers are getting creative. They’re making cherry farming more sustainable and resilient. By offering more products, finding new markets, and using sustainable methods, the global cherry trade is ready to face its challenges. It’s also set to take advantage of the growing love for this fruit¹⁹²¹²⁰.

Conclusion

The global cherry industry is changing fast, with big players like Turkey, Chile, Russia, the United States, and Uzbekistan leading the way²². These countries make a big part of the world’s sweet cherry production, which hit 2.6 million tons in 2020²². Poland, Iran, and Ukraine also keep up a steady output²².

Challenges from climate change and sustainability are making the industry work harder. But, they also bring chances for growth and new ideas. The future of cherries will depend on how producers can adjust to these changes²³. For example, Iran is set to produce about 12,000 metric tons of sour cherry juice concentrate in 2023, making it a big player in this area²³. Chile’s cherry exports for the 2023/24 season have already hit 413,979 metric tons, with China buying most of it²⁴.

As the cherry industry keeps changing, it’s important for producers to keep up with market trends, tackle sustainability issues, and use their strengths well²³. The growth of the industry will come from the efforts of top producers. They aim to meet the growing demand for quality cherries and products around the world²².

Source Links

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2. Cherries – https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/cherries
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4. Recent Techniques and Developments on Cherry Growing in Turkey – https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/81669
5. Production of Cherry in Turkey – 2022 – Charts and Tables – IndexBox – https://www.indexbox.io/search/production-cherry-turkey/
6. Perla Fruit to become turkey’s leading cherry exporter using TOMRA Food solutions – https://smartcherry.world/suppliers/perla-fruit-turkey-leading-cherry-exporter/
7. The Current State of Global Cherry Production and Shifts in Export Markets – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/current-state-global-cherry-production-shifts-export-markets-tridge
8. The cherry evolution in Chile and its position in the world – https://cherrytimes.it/en/news/The-Cherry-evolution-in-Chile-and-its-position-in-the-world
9. How High Could Chilean Cherry Exports to the U.S. go? – https://www.visionmagazineus.com/how-high-could-chilean-cherry-exports-to-the-u-s-go/
10. Cherry Market – Size, Share & Industry Analysis – https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/fresh-cherries-market
11. Cherries | Fruits From Chile – https://fruitsfromchile.com/fruit/cherries/
12. Cherries rank in the top 5 in US retail sales in July 2023 with +25% volume growth – https://cherrytimes.it/en/news/cherries-rank-top-five-us-retail-sales-july-2023-growth-25
13. The Top 10 Cherry-Producing States in the U.S. – https://thenatureofhome.com/the-top-cherry-producing-states-in-the-u-s/
14. Fruit and vegetables in Uzbekistan – some major aspects from 2022 – https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9491010/fruit-and-vegetables-in-uzbekistan-some-major-aspects-from-2022/
15. Uzbekistan beats Spain to become a #4 cherry exporter globally • EastFruit – https://east-fruit.com/en/news/uzbekistan-beats-spain-to-become-a-4-cherry-exporter-globally/
16. Uzbekistan sets an anti-record for cherry exports to China in 2022 • EastFruit – https://east-fruit.com/en/news/uzbekistan-sets-an-anti-record-for-cherry-exports-to-china-in-2022/
17. Poland: land of temperate climate fruits – https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/06/12/soft-fruit-production-in-poland
18. PDF – https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/StoneFruit.pdf
19. Is The Cherry Capital At Risk Of Losing Its Global Crown? – https://www.traverseticker.com/news/is-the-cherry-capital-at-risk-of-losing-its-global-crown/
20. Cherry Market Size, Trends & Forecast | 2031 – https://www.skyquestt.com/report/cherry-market
21. Tart cherry troubles for U.S. growers – Good Fruit Grower – https://www.goodfruit.com/tart-cherry-troubles-for-us-growers/
22. Cherry – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cherry
23. Iran’s Sour Cherry Industry: Cultivation, Harvest, and Global Impact – Pomuna Co – https://pomunaco.com/blog/irans-sour-cherry-industry/
24. Chilean Cherries Conclude 2023/24 Season With Record China Exports – https://www.producereport.com/article/chilean-cherries-conclude-2023-24-season-record-china-exports