The new season of Spanish cherries will start with a slight delay. According to the Fepex Cherry Committee, harvesting will begin in Extremadura between May 10 and 15, around ten days later than the average of previous years.
Not only in Extremadura: delays of between seven and ten days are also reported in Aragon, Catalonia, and Alicante. Despite the delay, prospects for 2025 remain optimistic: expected volumes are within the normal range, and fruits of good size are anticipated.
A major development this year is the official opening of the Chinese market to Spanish cherries, thanks to the signing of a new phytosanitary protocol between the two countries. Companies interested in exporting to China must register in a dedicated registry established by the Ministry of Agriculture and pass a compliance audit scheduled by the end of May.
Access to the Chinese market represents a strategic opportunity for the sector, which is experiencing steady growth: in 2024, Spain exported 39,968 tonnes of cherries, around 33,440 of which were destined for the European Union. Exports to non-EU countries reached 6,528 tonnes, with the United Kingdom as the main destination (5,725 tonnes), followed by Hong Kong (103 tonnes) and South Africa (100 tonnes). Total exports generated a value of €139 million.
With expansion into Asian markets and a balanced season ahead, Spain confirms its role as Europe's leading cherry producer. For Italy, the second-largest European producer, strengthening trade relations between Europe and Asia could also open new growth opportunities.
Source: fruitnet.com
03 Jul 2024
'Thanks to the early blossoming this year, the harvest is particularly early,' explains Claus Schliecker, president of Landvolk Niedersachsen. He and his colleagues invest around EUR 120,000 per hectare to cover the cherry trees with rain covers and insect nets.
20 May 2024
A 2023 consumer study that surveyed over 2,000 consumers found that the key factors continue to be quality and flavour. However, once the retail price reaches $4.50 per pound, sales begin to decline.
26 Dec 2025
In 2024, cherry consumption in the European Union reached 629,000 tonnes, marking a +4.5% increase on an annual basis and reaching its highest level in ten years. Production, imports and exports are also growing, with Italy and Spain among the leading countries.
25 Dec 2025
La Junta de Extremadura ha distribuito 904.540 euro nel secondo pagamento dell’aiuto straordinario 2024 per i cerasicoltori colpiti dal maltempo. La misura, parte del Decreto Legge 3/2025, prevede un’ultima tranche da un milione di euro in arrivo nei prossimi giorni.
