Cherries rank on top of European consumers' preferences

16 May 2023
1981

The seven-nation European project BreedingValue is aimed at enhancing the value of fruits such as strawberry, blueberry and raspberry, and involves seven nations Italy, France, Germany, Spain, UK, Finland and Turkey.

One of the activities of the project, conducted between March and July 2022, and led by the Institute of Bioeconomics of the CNR, with the support of European partners, was to engage consumers through a multilingual online survey to understand the liking of the fruits studied in the project, compared to other popular fruits.

The cherry in second place

More than 900 consumers participated in the survey, and the most popular fruit among the 18 proposed was strawberry, with raspberry in fourth place and blueberry in fifth. Excellent placings then for these 'up-and-coming' fruits.

In second place was the cherry, with an average rating of 6.1 out of 7. 

The cherry is, among the most liked fruits, in third place in Turkey, second place in France and the United Kingdom, almost equal to the strawberry for Spanish consumers, and first place for Italian consumers (rating 6.4 out of 7). 

In Germany, the whole podium is for the berry: strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, in that order, with the cherry in fourth place. 

Only in Finland is the cherry not among the top 10 most popular fruits, but the difference between the opinions of consumers in the different countries gives an idea that the online survey was conducted carefully and with a desire to offer honest individual judgements.

The survey, it is important for the research, to segment consumers according to preferences and expectations, highlighted the high appreciation for berries, but also showed how the cherry, together with the peach (in third position

according to international ratings ... and second in Italy ahead of the strawberry), is an important reference when it comes to taste, quality and the pleasure of eating fruit.

Ranking of the proposed fruits in order of 'international' liking

  1. Strawberry
  2. Cherry
  3. Peach
  4. Raspberry
  5. Blueberry
  6. Watermelon
  7. Orange
  8. Apricot
  9. Blackberry
  10. Grape
  11. Banana
  12. Apple
  13. Pineapple
  14. Plum
  15. Pear
  16. Kiwi
  17. Pomegranate
  18. Grapefruit

Ranking of the preferences of the approximately 350 Italian participants

  1. Cherry
  2. Peach
  3. Strawberry
  4. Apricot
  5. Raspberry
  6. Blueberry
  7. Blackberry
  8. Orange
  9. Watermelon
  10. Grape
  11. Pineapple
  12. Apple
  13. Banana
  14. Plum
  15. Pear
  16. Kiwi
  17. Pomegranate

Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Cherries 2025: CTIFL innovations and research in Balandran for producers in France

Events

11 Aug 2025

Balandran's CTIFL presented the latest innovations in variety, irrigation and orchard management to the 2025 cherry growers in France. Data, research projects and technologies to optimise quality, sustainability and profitability of cherry cultivation.

Real-time data: how Cherries Tasmania Orchards optimises harvesting with AgPick

Tech management

05 Aug 2024

A detailed dashboard captures and uploads information in real time. AgPick promotes traceability by informing growers who has harvested their fruit, who is leading production and what quality problems can be attributed to the pickers.

In evidenza

Drosophila suzukii in France: winter fruits reveal new control strategies

Crop protection

12 Sep 2025

A study in France explores the effects of ornamental winter fruits on Drosophila suzukii, an invasive pest damaging soft fruit crops. Researchers tested thermal regimes to evaluate survival, reproduction, and potential strategies for biological control and prevention.

How cherries in Patagonia survived frosts down to minus 9 degrees

Tech management

12 Sep 2025

Frosts as low as -9°C did not affect cherry production in Patagonia thanks to sprinkler irrigation systems that protect flowers and buds. The Cherry Growers’ Chamber reassures: no damage to crops, but targeted investments are needed to face extreme weather events.

Tag Popolari