Moldova: fresh cherry market outstrips demand for frozen products

01 Jul 2024
873

The analytical team at EastFruit continues to closely monitor the markets of frozen berries and the raw materials required for production. After our comprehensive analysis of the raspberry market, available here, we now turn our attention to the current landscape and price trends of sweet and sour cherries and blackcurrants for freezing.

Sour Cherries

In the EU wholesale market, frozen sweet and sour cherries are priced between 1.90 and 2.10 euros, depending on their quality. There is strong demand for these fruits, with buyers eager to secure or negotiate these products at prevailing rates - a harbinger of potential price increases on the horizon.

Just a week ago, Moldovan processors, along with their counterparts in some Ukrainian regions, began sourcing these stone fruits. Moldovan entities are ready to pay about 0.60-0.75 euros per kilogram.

However, the higher supply in the fresh market means that these fruits are predominantly found in the fresh produce aisles, leaving the bulk purchase aspirations of the freezing industry currently unmet. The export prices of fresh sour cherries in Moldova hover around 0.90-1.10 euros FCA, directly from orchards or storage facilities.

Sweet Cherries

The season started about fifteen days ago, characterized by high prices reflecting the exceptional quality of the fruits. Export-oriented farmers meticulously harvested and packaged the finest sour cherries. However, the subsequent flood in Moldova inflicted considerable damage to orchards, causing split and water-laden cherries.

This situation has driven many growers to turn to the processing market, albeit with the expectation of prices that offset the cost of manual labor for cherry harvesting, estimated at 7-8 lei (0.36-0.42 euros) per kilogram.

Blackcurrants

The blackcurrant has captured the attention of freezers and importers in the EU. The price of high-quality blackcurrants has risen to 1.7-1.8 euros per kilogram. This year, Ukrainian growers are at the peak of a lucrative opportunity, a rare event that occurs once every few years.

In theory, growers could fetch between 25 and 30 UAH per kilogram from the freezing sector. However, ongoing hostilities and the associated risks to Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure may force processors to err on the side of caution, potentially leading to more conservative price offers.

Read the full article: East Fruit
Image: Chinchiolo Farming


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Climate change and varietal innovation at the heart of Cherry Expo 2024

Events

08 Jan 2025

During the Cherry Expo, organized by the University of Talca and ANA Chile, innovative varieties were presented to meet the needs of demanding consumers and unique logistics, marked by the distance from the Asian market.

The Jerte Valley relies on tourism to promote cherries

Specialties

17 Feb 2025

As Felisa Cepeda, president of the Society for the Promotion and Development of the Jerte Valley (Soprodevaje) explained at Fitur 2025, the product ‘was born out of a passion for the Jerte Valley and our most emblematic product, the cherry'.

In evidenza

Sour cherry harvest hits historic low: prices rise and stocks deplete

Production

23 Jun 2025

Hungary's 2025 sour cherry harvest plummets to just 35,000 tons following devastating spring frosts. With key growing regions severely impacted and processing industry stocks nearly depleted, the market faces significant price hikes and widespread supply shortages across Europe.

Chile’s cherry sector goes organic: biocontrol, bioinputs and a sustainable future

Tech management

23 Jun 2025

Chile’s cherry industry is turning organic. Growers and experts adopt bioinputs, biocontrol and field validation to meet global demands and reduce environmental impact. Between El Niño cycles and climate stress, biological tools are shaping the orchard of tomorrow.

Tag Popolari