Global cherry market in crisis: production drops, prices soar

A historic year for the sector: global supply shrinks, while the Southern Hemisphere prepares to seize the moment's opportunities.

The international fresh cherry sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. According to the latest report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), published in September 2025, global production for the 2025/26 season (April 2025 - March 2026) will drop by more than 10%, reaching 4.6 million tons.

This is the first global decline in six years, driven by significant production losses in Turkey, Europe, and the United States.

The domino effect on the market

Despite a partial crop recovery in Chile and China, the reduced supply has already triggered a surge in prices in high-consumption markets. The situation worsened in countries traditionally supplied by Turkey, opening the door for alternative exporters ready to claim the vacated market shares.

The Turkish case is emblematic. Once among the top global exporters, the country will see its production drop by 60%, reaching only 400,000 tons. Exports will plummet by 85%, falling to 10,000 tons.

This 56,000-ton gap in global trade cannot be filled by any single player, triggering a seismic shift in global market dynamics.

Europe and Russia seek alternatives

The European Union also suffered a significant setback, with a 15% drop in production due to frosts in Poland, Greece, and Italy. Imports into the EU collapsed by 60%, down to 23,000 tons.

This is not due to lower demand, but to a forced rationing caused by rising prices and limited availability.

In the United States, production dropped to 403,000 tons compared to 2024/25. To compensate, Washington will increase off-season imports by 25%, up to 30,000 tons, focusing mainly on Chilean cherries.

Meanwhile, Turkish export prices have doubled in the first three months of the season, while domestic prices have hit record highs, prompting producers to allocate nearly 98% of the harvest to the local market.

Favorable windows for the Southern Hemisphere

In today’s tight market, April and October — traditionally critical months for Northern Hemisphere cherry supply — represent a strategic window for producers in the Southern Hemisphere.

The upcoming South American export campaign is expected to benefit from significantly higher prices than last season, provided quality standards remain high.

Chile and China: the two big winners

Amid the chaos, two major players stand out: China and Chile. China remains the world’s leading producer with 900,000 tons, but domestic demand continues to outpace supply.

Imports will hit a record high of 600,000 tons (+8%), driven by the premium segment of the Chinese market.

Chile, on the other hand, plays a starring role. With a record production of 730,000 tons and forecast exports of 670,000 tons (+10%), it positions itself as the natural replacement for the Turkish void.

Its perfectly offset harvest window allows Chilean producers to enter U.S. and Asian markets during peak pricing tension, giving them unprecedented bargaining power.

Risks and opportunities in a polarized market

Despite the global production decline, international cherry trade is expected to remain stable at around 939,000 tons, thanks to Chile’s expansion. However, this numerical balance hides a more expensive and volatile market: less competition, more unpredictability.

According to the USDA, major importers are responding differently:

• The European Union has faced the steepest price hikes, having lost its main supplier, Turkey.
• Russia, thanks to alternative sources like Uzbekistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan, has managed to contain the damage, though it must deal with higher logistics costs.
• The USA and China, with greater purchasing power, absorb the price increases without a drop in consumption, widening the gap between wealthy markets and regions where demand is shrinking.

For producers, the current scenario offers promising prospects, especially for Chile and, to some extent, for new players in Central Asia. However, the heavy concentration of supply in a few countries also creates vulnerability: a major weather event in Chile, for instance, could cause another global price spike.

Lastly, the strategy of Chilean exporters in the Chinese market remains to be seen. Last year, despite high volumes, many reported negative profit margins due to uneven fruit quality during the key January window.

Towards a luxury cherry?

The collapse in global cherry production is not just an agricultural phenomenon, but an economic crisis with global ramifications.

Prices are expected to keep rising in the coming months, especially as Southern Hemisphere supplies enter the market. The risk? That cherries increasingly become a niche luxury fruit, reserved for high-income consumers, leaving much of the market behind.

Source: masp-lmneuquen-com

Image source: Javea

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