Production was limited, demand was interested, and prices were sustained, which characterized the cherry campaign of 2024.
The main factor was the climatic conditions, which affected not only the yields - down compared to the already deficient last year - but also the start and end of the campaign, both occurring about two weeks earlier than usual.
In the key areas of the South, the production shortfall was evident already during the fruit setting phase, and became fully apparent with the start of harvest.
Subsequently, the high temperatures recorded between May and June, while benefiting the quality of the fruits in terms of Brix and organoleptic characteristics, albeit with generally uneven calibers, also accelerated the harvest, which affected varieties with different ripening periods (medium-late) simultaneously.
The reduced scalability and the resulting concentration of product in commercial channels did not, however, lead to difficulties in the market, with demand exceeding supply from the very beginning of the new campaign.
Different was the situation in the northern areas. The campaign, which had started under the best conditions for quantity and quality of the fruits, suffered a sharp reversal of trend due to adverse climatic events (hailstorms and heavy rainfalls occurring between the end of May and June).
The most penalized were the medium-late varieties affected by quality issues (cracking of fruits and reduced shelf-life), with volumes suitable for the fresh market contracting compared to initial estimates.
A positive aspect of the campaign was the prices, which benefited from the limited presence of Spanish goods in the domestic market, averaging an increase of about 4% compared to 2023 (3.44 €/kg versus 3.30 €/kg in 2023), which was also particularly low in product availability.
It is worth noting that only towards the end of the campaign, due to a national offer that had become scarce and no longer able to meet the demand, did the pressure from foreign products, particularly from Turkey, make itself felt. Turkish cherries, favored by an optimal quality standard, gained consumer approval.
Regarding retail sales of cherries, partial data (April 29 - June 16) from NielsenIQ indicate an increase in volumes (+12.3%) and a more significant increase in spending by households (+20.3%) for 2024 compared to the previous campaign.
Considering only the packaged product with fixed weight (EAN), the average price at retail increased almost as much as the price at origin (+4.8%), rising from 8.28 Euro/kg in 2023 to 8.68 Euro/kg in 2024.
Source: ISMEA
Images: ISMEA; SL Fruit Service
16 May 2023
"The Alma Mater's super fruit millionaires": this is how Corriere della Sera headlined years ago when announcing the results obtained by researchers at the University of Bologna on the cherry tree genetic improvement project: the seven Sweet® sisters.
13 Mar 2026
Chilean cherries remain a key winter fruit in Guangzhou supermarkets. Demand is supported by household purchases, gifting traditions and retail promotions. Despite a more cautious Chinese market and a complex season, consumer trust continues to support sales.
15 Jun 2026
In Vignola, the experimental orchard was named after Andrea Bernardi, former Consortium president and a key figure for Vignola Cherry PGI. The tribute highlights his work for innovation, research and dialogue among producers, institutions and the local fruit supply chain.
15 Jun 2026
A nationwide U.S. spring frost has cut Michigan’s tart cherry crop to a fraction of normal output, with inventories near record lows. Processors warn that soaring prices, scarce supply and imports could reshape the U.S. market and threaten long-term customer loyalty in 2026.
