The world's cherry production in the 2014/15 season amounted to 2.41 million tonnes, 1.5% more than in the previous campaign. The main producer was Turkey, with 20.7% of the total, followed by the U.S. (16.4%), China and Ukraine (9.1% each), Poland (8.3%) and Chile (4.6%).
The countries that registered a greater increase in their production were China and Chile, which tripled their figures. They are followed by Turkey and the United States, with increases of 30% and 12%, respectively. For its part, Ukraine's cherry production dropped by 17% in the same period (USDA FAS).
International trade: record cherry export figures
The main markets in terms of consumption are Turkey, with 450,000 tonnes per year, followed by the United States and China, with an annual consumption of more than 300,000 tonnes each.
In 2014, the global demand for fresh cherries in the international markets stood at 424,000 tonnes. China was the main importing country, with 28% of the world trade (13% imported by Hong Kong and 15% directly by China). The average import price in 2014 in the Chinese market reached US$ 8.15 per kilo, slightly over the US$ 7.95 per kilo of 2013.
Other countries demanding great volumes of cherries are Russia, which acquired 13% of all shipments in 2014; Germany, with 8% of the market, and Canada, with 7%. In terms of price, the Korean market, which receives 3% of the shipments, has become quite interesting, with an average CIF price in 2014 of US$ 9.4 per kilo. Importantly, demand in all of these markets peaks between October and March, when they don't have their own production, which coincides with the time that Chile produces and exports the fruit.
Major exporting countries
Although exports increased by 19.2% in volume in 2014 compared to the previous year, international transactions accounted for only 18% of the production worldwide. The main exporters were the United States and Chile, with 21% and 20% of the world's export volume, respectively, followed by Turkey, China and Greece.
Of all major cherry producers, only Chile produces in counter season, allowing it to obtain a better price for the product. This entails the country being the main exporter in terms of value, accounting for 34% of the value of the fruit traded in the world market. The United States follows with 24%. The counter-seasonal production allows exporting countries in the southern hemisphere to achieve the highest average prices.
This is how, in 2014, New Zealand obtained an average price for its cherries of US$ 12.21 per kilo; Australia, US$ 10.68; Chile, US$ 7.74, and Argentina, US$ 4.22 per kilo. Chile currently accounts for 90% of the volume exported from the southern hemisphere, with no other country in this hemisphere exceeding 5%. However, these countries could still become competitors for Chile, so the product's quality remains the key to maintain the leading market position.
