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
11 Jun 2025
A recent study in Ukraine's steppe region analyzed 35 sour cherry combinations to identify the most drought-tolerant, evaluating key physiological traits like water retention, leaf hydration, turgor recovery and plant response to extended water deficit stress.
07 Oct 2024
Cherry Times Magazine is back in print and digital format full of content, news and information on the world of cherries. Pick up your free copy at Fruit Attraction (Madrid) in the Press Area!
27 Feb 2026
The U.S. tart cherry industry unveils True Tart™, a certification mark highlighting authentic U.S.-grown Montmorency cherries. The goal is to stand out from imports, boost grower returns and strengthen demand through marketing, research and targeted communication.
27 Feb 2026
CITA conducted a field trial in Aragon, Spain, evaluating assisted cherry pollination using external pollen supplied by Zimex. The study assessed fruit set, pollen vitality and fertility in Albalate de Cinca highlighting yield performance, fruit quality and cold chain management.
