France: national production to increase by +10% in 2024

25 Jun 2024
1463

Cherry Production to Increase by 10% in 2024

As of June 1, 2024, cherry production for the current season is estimated at 37,000 tons, marking a 10% increase compared to 2023, despite the adverse weather in May. All regions will experience this increase. The start of the marketing campaign is in line with last year, with the bad weather having reduced market supply and keeping prices high, above the five-year average.

2024 Production Expected to Increase Compared to Previous Year

As of June 1, cherry production for 2024 was estimated at 37,000 tons, a 10% increase compared to the previous year and a 21% increase compared to the average harvest from 2019 to 2023.

Image 1: French national cherry production from 2019 to 2023 (in thousands of tons)

Production Increase in All Regions

In Occitania, the deterioration in fruit quality following the bad weather in May has sometimes led to a halt in the harvesting of early varieties, which were the most affected. However, a production increase of 12% compared to last year is expected.

In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the bad weather in May also damaged cherries (split fruits, lack of firmness), forcing growers to conduct significant sorting to market the fruits. Since the load on the trees is satisfactory, especially for late firm-fleshed varieties, a total production increase of 10% compared to the previous year is expected.

In Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, despite losses due to the bad weather in May, a volume increase of 9% year-on-year is expected.

Estimates as of June 1, 2024OccitaniaAuvergne-Rhône-AlpesProvence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurFrance
Production AreaTotal area (thousands of hectares)1.42.42.37.3
1-year change (in %)1-4-1-2
5-year change (in %)-2-6-2-3
Production
Total production (thousands of tons)7.211.513.737.0
Cherries 5.910.98.028.6
Produced for industry1.40.65.78.4
1-year change*1210910
5-year change**14114021
Previous year (annual agricultural statistics) ** variation compared to the average for the period 2019-2023 (annual agricultural statistics).

Prices Supported by Reduced Supply at the Start of the Season

In May 2024, cherry prices remained stable compared to the previous year, with a level 6% higher than the five-year average. This level was reached in a context of limited market supply at the beginning of the season. The bad weather slowed down the start of the season and forced sorting, reducing the marketed volumes of early varieties. Demand was also affected by the cool weather and high retail prices of early cherries.

According to market data from St Charles (66), volumes from Spain halved compared to the previous year and are in line with the average of the last 5 campaigns.

Image 2: Index of agricultural producer prices.


Sources, Definitions, and Methodology

Cherry production forecasts are estimated from regional samples of quantitative and qualitative observations from multiple sources. They are published assuming no further significant events will affect the final harvest. The latest forecasts were made on June 1, based on data collected at the end of May.

The conjunctural survey on cherries covers 3 regions, representing 81% of national production in 2023:

  • Occitania: 17% of national production in 2023, mainly in Languedoc, Roussillon, and the Garonne Valley (Tarn et Garonne);
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA): 36% of national production in 2023;
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 28% of national production in 2023, mainly in the Rhône Valley.

Not all departments in a surveyed region are necessarily surveyed. The results for the surveyed departments are extrapolated from last year’s Annual Agricultural Statistics (SAA) data to represent the region as a whole. For unlisted regions, extrapolations are also made to estimate the entire national territory.

Changes in cherry production prices paid to producers are measured by the agricultural producer price index (Ippap).

Source: Laurent Bernadette, Maurine Lousteau, Cerise. En 2024, une production de cerises en hausse de 10%, Commercialisation, surface et production pour la campagne 2024, Agreste, Fruits, N° 2024-69, https://agreste.agriculture.gouv.fr/agreste-web/download/publication/publie/IraFru2469/2024_69inforapCerise.pdf.
Images: Agreste


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Stress management in post-harvest: how to overcome the negative effects of heat waves on cherry trees

Tech management

04 Mar 2025

The summer in the central part of Chile, characterised by high temperatures and intense radiation, can generate stress in the plants and affect good flowering and budding in spring.

Cherries from Peru: a new competitor in the global market

Markets

01 Apr 2025

Peru explores cherry production with the aim of entering the Chinese market before Chile. The first exports are expected as early as next season, but experts estimate up to 10 years for significant volumes.

In evidenza

How 1-MCP extends sweet cherry shelf life: tests on Kordia and Regina in Poland

Post-harvest​

18 Sep 2025

A recent study in Poland confirms the effectiveness of 1-MCP in extending sweet cherry shelf life. The treatment reduces weight loss and preserves visual and nutritional quality. Promising results for Kordia and Regina varieties after 21 days in cold storage.

Cherries and health: the fruit that helps prevent diabetes, stroke and heart disease

Health

18 Sep 2025

New research shows that cherries, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, can lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Including them daily supports cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation and overall wellbeing.

Tag Popolari