In Uzbekistan, the arrival of cherries is more than just a seasonal event: it is a cultural symbol that marks the beginning of the warm season. The country, known for its agricultural tradition and particularly fertile land, is one of the main cherry producers in Central Asia.
And as every year, the arrival of the first batches on supermarket shelves is greeted with great enthusiasm. 2025 is no exception, with a novelty: the season started slightly earlier than usual.
The first fruits of the season were put on sale at the Korzinka supermarket chain, where a 200–250 gram package was offered at a price of 19,999 SOM (about 1.54 USD, 1.45 Euro). This corresponds to a per kilo price between 80,000 and 100,000 SOM (equivalent to 6.15–7.69 USD, 5.80–7.25 Euro), in line with the tradition of the first cherries of the season: expensive, but highly sought after.
Just the following day, rival chain Makro launched its own sale of the first fresh cherries of 2025, with a significantly more competitive price: 14,990 SOM (1.16 USD, 1.09 Euro) for a similar package.
Analyzing data collected by EastFruit over recent years, an interesting price trend emerges:
2020: April 21, first appearance of cherries at 14,990 SOM (1.58 USD, 1.49 Euro)
2021: early arrival on April 14, but with a much higher price: 45,000 SOM (4.29 USD, 4.05 Euro)
2024: not reported in detail, but used as a comparison reference
2025: distribution started on April 18 at 19,999 SOM (1.54 USD, 1.45 Euro)
Although there appears to be a local currency increase, the price in USD has remained essentially stable, highlighting how the market has adjusted to economic changes and exchange rates.
In addition to the domestic market, Uzbek cherries continue to be in high demand in foreign markets, particularly in Russia, China, and the Middle East. Italy and other European countries are also observing the dynamism of the Central Asian cherry sector with interest, especially due to the early ripening and product quality.
With the start of the 2025 season, a progressive increase in supply is now expected and, consequently, a possible price stabilization. Attention remains high on how the season will evolve from a climatic and logistical perspective, two variables that in recent years have had a growing impact on global fruit supply chains.
Source: east-fruit.com
Images: FAO, New.Com, Decorexpo
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