GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CHERRIES

Export demand also varies by destination. European buyers continue to absorb strong volumes from countries such as Turkey, while competition between origins is influencing pricing across the continent. Outside Europe, harvests are advancing in North America, South Africa continues to expand its cherry industry, and Australia and New Zealand have reported contrasting seasonal outcomes. In China, weaker demand has added further pressure to imported cherry prices.Italy: Prices ease as harvest expandsIn week 26 of 2026, Italian wholesale markets recorded lower cherry prices than last season. In 2025, a severe product shortage kept prices between €5.00 and €10.00/kg. This year, with no major weather-related disruptions, prices have fallen to between €2.00/kg for smaller Italian cherries and €5.00/kg for larger sizes.The cherry sector in Apulia has had a challenging season. Production of the early-ripening Bigarreau variety was heavily affected, with an estimated 60% of the crop lost. While weather conditions supported good organoleptic quality and above-average yields per hectare for the Ferrovia variety, strong competition from Greece and Turkey sharply reduced exports from the second half of June onwards. Bigarreau cherries did not move beyond the Alps, while Ferrovia cherries were supplied to retail chains in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium. "Since the end of June, we have been busy harvesting the latest-ripening Staccato variety, which is proving very successful in terms of both yield per hectare and commercial performance. Prices are, in fact, on the rise, particularly on the Italian market," says a producer from Apulia.The cherry season is also underway in Trentino-South Tyrol. This year's marketing season is characterised by higher production, while the market has shown increased appreciation for the fruit's organoleptic qualities. Cherries are expected to remain available until mid-August.The Netherlands: Heat affects fruit and demandThe Dutch cherry season is now in full swing. "Yields are excellent, and fruit size is good as well," says one grower. However, last week's heatwave caused some sunburn damage. "It mainly affected cherries that were ready for harvest, although the impact varies by variety. We whitewashed all of our rain covers, but there's only so much you can do against temperatures like these."The hot weather also affected sales. "Last week, hardly anyone was out cycling, so demand was fairly subdued. You really had to rely on people travelling by car with air conditioning. This week, the forecast is much better for cycling weather, so I expect sales to pick up again," the grower says.The grower mainly works with seasonal pricing but says auction prices for cherries have been disappointing. "The truth is that we simply can't grow cherries for €4.50. Labour alone costs €32 per hour, so harvesting already adds around €3 per kilogram to the cost of the fruit. Hobby growers who harvest with family and friends may be able to make those prices work, but we have to charge more. Otherwise, our business simply isn't sustainable."France: Supply peak pressures pricesAfter a strong start in early May, the French cherry market entered a more challenging period from mid-June onward. The production peak around June 10, combined with the absence of major weather-related disruptions, led to a sharp increase in market volumes. High temperatures accelerated harvesting, concentrating supplies over a two-week period. With demand insufficient to absorb the volumes, oversupply put downward pressure on prices and disrupted market balance. Since this week, however, conditions have started to improve as temperatures have eased and retail promotional programs have gradually been rolled out, helping to restore a better balance between supply and demand. Despite these marketing challenges, overall cherry quality has remained good.French cherry production is now estimated at 30,800 tons in 2026, down 4% from 2025, mainly due to hail damage in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in May. A reduction in planted area, together with unfavourable spring weather conditions, including rain and wind, also affected early-season varieties. Despite the year-on-year decline, the crop is still expected to be 8% above the average of the previous five seasons.Across Europe, cherry production is expected to be generally strong, supported by a rebound in Italy and a good crop in Spain. Spain's season started around three weeks earlier than in 2025, increasing competition on the French market at the beginning of the season.Germany: Harvest exceeds previous estimatesAccording to initial estimates, Germany's sweet cherry harvest is expected to reach around 40,300 metric tons in 2026, 20.5% above the 10-year average and 8.2% higher than last year's above-average crop. Based on a cultivation area of approximately 5,600 hectares, the average yield is forecast at 7.1 metric tons per hectare, 23.9% above the 10-year average of 5.8 metric tons per hectare.Baden-Württemberg, Germany's largest sweet cherry-producing state, is expected to harvest 19,200 metric tons from 2,600 hectares, up 9.2% year-on-year. Lower Saxony is forecast to produce 5,100 metric tons from 500 hectares, an increase of 2.0%, while Rhineland-Palatinate is expected to harvest around 3,800 metric tons from 660 hectares, up 2.4%.At the marketing stage, shipments to food retailers in carry bags are gradually increasing. Prices are generally below last year's levels and are expected to remain so during the season. One distributor said, "We were fortunate last year that Turkey was barely represented on the market due to severe frost damage, while a pleasing harvest volume was available here in Germany. Although we have a good harvest this year as well, we are unfortunately also feeling the effects of increased price competition."Spain: Supply pressure and smaller fruit weigh on seasonThe Spanish cherry season, which is about two weeks away from ending except in a few areas with limited production, has been challenging due to supply pressure from other countries, smaller fruit sizes, and a decline in commercial yields. The 2026 season began in a very different context from 2025, when frosts caused production to plummet in competing producing countries, particularly Türkiye, Greece, Hungary, and Moldova. As a result, Spanish cherries entered the market at around €6 per kilo, between €2 and €2.50 lower than at the start of the previous season.The main production areas in Spain have also been affected by heatwaves that scorched some of the fruit on the trees, as well as isolated storms that significantly reduced commercial yields, leaving utilization below 50% for certain varieties. As a result, there has generally been a lower availability of first-class fruit, along with smaller sizes, a trend also seen in other stone fruit. The predominant sizes have therefore been between 24 and 26. In this context, there have been occasional supply shortages. Paradoxically, French cherries were seen at Mercabarna, Barcelona's wholesale market, due to their low prices following saturation of the French market. Prices for Spanish cherries have not been particularly poor, but neither have they been strong. There have been substantial economic losses due to the decline in quality and commercial yields. For about two weeks, locally produced cherries have been available in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Although growers in these countries do not target the export market, their production is reducing the market share for Spanish cherries.Switzerland: Harvest increases 6% year-on-yearSwiss cherries are of good quality this season. The Swiss Fruit Association expects a harvest of around 2,400 metric tons, an increase of 6% compared with last year.The main harvest season, lasting around three weeks, is currently underway, with weekly harvest volumes of between 400 and 600 metric tons.Austria: Good growing conditions support harvestIn Austria's wholesale market, cherries are supplied mainly by Italy, Spain, and Turkey, while domestic production plays a supplementary role.In Styria, Austria's largest sweet cherry-growing region, the use of frost protection, hail nets, and plastic coverings has increased. According to Herbert Muster of the Association of Commercial Fruit Growers, weather conditions this season were favourable for sweet cherries, with no drought or frost affecting production."Last year we had a good harvest, and this year we can say we have a top-notch harvest," said Muster.The harvest is expected to continue for around three more weeks. Sweet cherries are grown on 120 hectares, mainly in Eastern Styria, where production is forecast to reach 240 metric tons.Turkey: Good crop keeps export prices balancedProduction has been strong across all Turkish cherry-growing regions this season, and harvesting has now been completed. The same positive picture was seen in the mid-season and late-season production areas, with no major issues reported regarding fruit quality or size.As in previous years, Europe remains the main destination for Turkish cherries, while demand from Russia has also been strong this season. Demand from Asia, however, remains limited. Prices from competing countries are currently very low, making it more difficult for Turkish cherries to compete in those markets.Last year, the market experienced a shortage, but this season the situation is very different. The strong crop has resulted in good availability, helping prices remain more balanced than last season. This has also supported the competitiveness of Turkish cherries in export markets.North America: Washington strong, while other regions declineFollowing mixed weather conditions over the past week in Washington's cherry-growing regions, growers and shippers continue to expect a strong week of harvesting and shipments. Warm temperatures advanced fruit maturity early in the week, while scattered rain showers and periods of gusty winds later in the week had only a limited impact. The season also started without significant overlap with California production.The Rainier cherry crop, which began several days earlier than usual, is also expected to finish several days earlier than normal.Harvest began last week in British Columbia, where growers are facing a much smaller crop this season. The uneven distribution of fruit is believed to be the result of heat during the growing season. Harvest has also started earlier than usual, with shipments expected to continue until the end of August.Meanwhile, Michigan is preparing for a smaller cherry crop, with some orchards reporting volumes down by as much as 50% due to a late frost and possible poor pollination in parts of the state.South Africa: Industry expands despite weather challengesDespite weather-related challenges in the Western Cape, cherries shared in the overall growth of South African stone fruit exports during the past season. According to Hortgro, cherry exports by sea and air increased by 111% to a total of 309,467 5kg carton equivalents.The United Kingdom remained the main destination, receiving 164,700 5kg carton equivalents between weeks 40 and 52. Exports to the Far East and Asia totalled 57,400 cartons, followed by 45,500 cartons to the European Union and almost 38,000 cartons to the Middle East.The development of lower-chill cherry cultivars has supported the expansion of South Africa's cherry industry. More than 800 hectares of cherries have been established, mainly in the Western Cape, but also in non-traditional growing areas in Limpopo and North West Province. National cherry plantings have approximately doubled over the past seven years.Oceania: Strong Australian season contrasts with New Zealand lossesLocalised wet weather did not prevent a good cherry season in Australia. The situation was different in New Zealand, where growers continued to face difficult conditions, with reports that some have left the industry following repeated poor harvests.Good growing conditions in Australia resulted in fruit that was in demand, particularly in Asian export markets. Australian cherries occupy a niche market, as high labour costs limit their ability to compete on price. Vietnam remains a strong export destination, and one grower told FreshPlaza that his cherries are highly anticipated there each year.The season has now ended in Oceania, but outcomes differed between the two countries. Australian growers were satisfied with production and reported strong demand in Asian export markets. In New Zealand, adverse weather affected crops, resulting in a poor harvest. One grower told FreshPlaza he knows of three neighbouring growers who have gone out of business.Australian cherries continue to target premium markets, relying on quality rather than volume. The industry's reputation for producing high-quality cherries under strict production standards remains important, while concerns over IP squatting and the need for traceability are receiving increasing attention.Chile: Export diversification gains momentumThe 2025/26 season confirmed a structural shift in Chile's cherry industry. China no longer absorbs the same export volumes at attractive prices, forcing the sector to diversify its export destinations. China's share of Chilean cherry exports declined from 91% to 87%, with greater emphasis now placed on North America and Europe. Fruit size and quality on arrival have become the main determinants of price, making it essential to address gaps in pre-shipment handling and postharvest management.The "Godzilla El Niño" weather phenomenon is creating uncertainty around production, while lower advance payments from Chinese buyers, at €8.80 to €10.50 per box compared with around €13.20 previously, have already led some operators to leave the sector. Exchange rate based on the current euro reference rate.Chile exported approximately 570,000 metric tons during the season. For the 2026/27 campaign, export volumes are expected to increase by 10 to 15%, supported by new cherry varieties, technological innovation, and increased automation.China: Prices fall as demand weakensWashington cherry prices from the United States have fallen by around 30% to 40% this week compared with last week. The current mainstream price is approximately €45 per box, while better-quality cherries are selling for more than €47 per box.Prices across most varieties are now similar, with quality being the main factor determining price differences. The quality of arriving cherries continues to vary by brand and shipment.Some traders said this year's Washington cherry prices are among the lowest in recent years, as both fruit quality and overall market demand have been below expectations.The post-holiday decline in demand has also contributed to the price drop, with fewer traders participating in sales.Next Topic: Bell PeppersPublication date: Fri 3 Jul 2026© FreshPlaza.com / Stefan Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen