The 2024 cherry campaign: the ISMEA report on the Italian production

29 Jul 2024
889

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


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Quality and harvesting period considerations for Pacific Red

Varieties

28 Nov 2024

ANA Chile® has begun sharing information with technical advice and handling recommendations to “guide growers with the new varieties we are introducing to the market, providing concrete and simple information that will enable them to unlock the full potential of each variety.

India: 300 Million Consumers Ripe for Chilean Cherries

Markets

03 Jun 2025

With zero import tariffs, ideal seasonal windows, and a growing middle class of 300 million consumers, India represents a major opportunity for Chilean cherries. As logistics improve and awareness increases, it could become Chile’s next key market for premium fruit exports.

In evidenza

Effective San Jose Scale control in cherry orchards: strategies and timing

Crop protection

13 Aug 2025

Preventive treatment against San Jose Scale in cherry orchards: useful details on strategies, ideal timing, and application techniques to control infestations, protect orchard productivity, and keep trees healthy from late winter through the start of the growing season.

Reflective films boost cherry quality in Chilean orchards under plastic covers

Tech management

13 Aug 2025

In southern Chile, reflective ground films in high-density cherry orchards under plastic tunnels improve the quality of Regina cherries by enhancing firmness, sugar levels, and color. Proper installation timing is essential to reduce cracking and postharvest defects.

Tag Popolari