Cherries Production by Country 2025
Cherries represent premium stone fruits cultivated globally, with Türkiye dominating production at 736,791 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 703,175 tonnes by 2025. Worldwide production totaled 2,963,185 tonnes in 2023, reflecting a 6.1% increase from 2022. Chile follows with 465,348 tonnes, while United States produces 321,420 tonnes. This category encompasses both sweet cherries (Prunus avium) consumed fresh and sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) used for processing. Production spans 64 countries across temperate zones, from Mediterranean regions to continental climates, serving fresh markets, processing industries, and growing export demand particularly from Asian consumers.
Türkiye leads with 736,791 tonnes, showing growth from 639,564 in 2018, driven by ideal Black Sea coast and Anatolian growing conditions. Production concentrates in Afyonkarahisar, Konya, Isparta, and Denizli provinces where continental climate provides necessary chill hours. Turkish cherries, particularly sweet varieties, dominate domestic consumption and exports to Europe, Russia, and Middle East. The country produces both sweet and sour cherries, with sweet cherries commanding premium prices. Modern orchards use protective netting and drip irrigation, while traditional cultivation persists in mountain regions. Government programs support quality improvement and export infrastructure development. Chile produces 465,348 tonnes, showing dramatic growth from 228,000 in 2018, driven by export-oriented production targeting Asian markets. Production concentrates in O'Higgins, Maule, and Biobío regions where Mediterranean climate suits premium sweet cherry cultivation. Chilean harvest timing (December-January) provides counter-seasonal advantage for Northern Hemisphere markets, particularly China where demand drives expansion. Modern orchards use high-density planting, protective covers, and advanced post-harvest handling. Chile dominates global cherry exports, commanding premium prices through quality and timing advantages. Spain produces 104,470 tonnes, Italy 87,710 tonnes, Greece 113,580 tonnes, Poland 68,800 tonnes, and France 31,080 tonnes. Eastern Europe contributes significantly: Ukraine 53,230 tonnes, Bulgaria 46,230 tonnes, Romania 36,560 tonnes, and Serbia 15,576 tonnes. Russia adds 56,569 tonnes. European production includes both sweet cherries for fresh markets and sour cherries for processing. Poland, Ukraine, and Russia emphasize sour cherry production for juice and preserve industries. Mediterranean countries focus on sweet cherries for fresh consumption and export. Uzbekistan contributes 218,867 tonnes, benefiting from continental climate ideal for cherry cultivation. Iran produces 144,877 tonnes, China 35,789 tonnes, Japan 17,300 tonnes, and India 10,683 tonnes. Middle Eastern producers include Syria 72,694 tonnes, Lebanon 31,234 tonnes, and Jordan 2,453 tonnes. Central Asian countries including Azerbaijan 10,910 tonnes and Kyrgyzstan 4,597 tonnes maintain traditional production. The region serves primarily domestic markets, though quality improvements enable export development. Sweet cherries require 700-1,000 chill hours and thrive in temperate climates with cold winters and warm, dry summers. Popular varieties include Bing, Rainier, and Lapins for fresh markets. Sour cherries tolerate colder conditions, requiring fewer chill hours, with Montmorency dominating processing markets. Modern orchards use dwarfing rootstocks enabling high-density planting (1,000-2000 trees/hectare). Trees begin bearing in 3-5 years, reaching full production at 7-10 years, and remain productive for 20-30 years. Harvest occurs over 3-4 weeks in late spring to early summer. Cherry production faces significant challenges including spring frost damage during flowering, rain-induced fruit cracking near harvest, and bird damage requiring protective netting. Diseases include brown rot, bacterial canker, and cherry leaf spot. Pests include cherry fruit fly, aphids, and spotted wing drosophila. Modern production uses protective covers against rain and frost, drip irrigation for water management, and integrated pest management. Climate change brings irregular spring temperatures and extreme weather events affecting production reliability. Fresh sweet cherry prices range $3-10/kg depending on variety, quality, and timing. Chilean counter-seasonal cherries command $8-15/kg in Asian markets. Sour cherries for processing fetch $1-2/kg. Frozen cherries trade at $2-4/kg. China drives global demand growth, importing 200,000+ tonnes annually, primarily from Chile. Export markets value large fruit size, firmness, and color intensity. Organic cherries command 30-50% premium. However, production costs remain high due to labor-intensive harvest and post-harvest handling requirements. Global cherry production projected to grow moderately through 2025, driven by expanding Asian demand for premium sweet cherries and Chilean export expansion. Türkiye maintains leadership while investing in quality improvement and export infrastructure. Climate change poses risks through spring frost events and heat stress during fruit development. The industry invests in protected cultivation, frost protection systems, and heat-tolerant varieties. Growing health consciousness supports consumption as cherries provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. The market's future depends on balancing production expansion with climate adaptation while meeting quality standards for premium export markets.🏆 Türkiye's Market Leadership
Cherries Production by Country 2025
1
703,175
2
450,574
3
288,123
4
217,213
5
128,011
6
112,218
7
98,505
8
94,834
9
69,200
10
66,679
11
57,164
12
56,439
13
49,815
14
36,710
15
35,763
16
33,184
17
31,773
18
28,535
19
21,565
20
20,701
21
20,243
22
18,095
23
17,845
24
17,116
25
16,100
26
14,608
27
14,142
28
11,474
29
11,376
30
11,214
31
10,657
32
9,808
33
8,212
34
7,941
35
7,459
36
6,872
37
6,410
38
5,762
39
4,747
40
4,685
41
4,638
42
4,626
43
4,460
44
3,902
45
3,742
46
3,511
47
2,851
48
2,329
49
2,094
50
1,909
51
1,677
52
1,643
53
1,571
54
1,195
55
1,076
56
1,054
57
898
58
836
59
704
60
341
61
139
62
18
63
13
64
3
🌎 Chilean Export Powerhouse
🌍 European Production Centers
🌏 Asian and Middle Eastern Production
💪 Cherry Varieties and Characteristics
🌱 Cultivation Challenges
📈 Market Dynamics and Export Trade
🔮 Market Outlook
Cherries Production by Country 2025
#
1
639,564
664,224
724,944
689,834
656,041
736,791
703,175
2
228,000
270,000
276,000
392,000
465,000
465,348
450,574
3
312,430
319,870
294,930
333,210
202,570
321,420
288,123
4
172,035
175,861
185,068
213,600
216,867
218,867
217,213
5
88,906
128,354
153,745
119,779
105,390
144,877
128,011
6
106,580
118,380
82,130
125,810
116,070
104,470
112,218
7
89,380
81,600
93,740
80,970
85,070
113,580
98,505
8
114,800
98,600
104,380
93,030
107,910
87,710
94,834
9
59,960
44,430
51,300
59,100
76,600
68,800
69,200
10
61,117
66,039
42,206
44,343
71,546
72,694
66,679
11
46,400
48,700
51,000
55,300
59,400
56,569
57,164
12
84,640
68,640
63,550
61,850
58,180
53,230
56,439
13
55,310
54,960
52,330
52,620
53,920
46,230
49,815
14
49,100
39,140
37,640
40,670
34,320
36,560
36,710
15
35,793
35,555
35,891
35,746
35,731
35,789
35,763
16
44,220
44,550
36,800
27,340
38,470
32,350
33,184
17
36,765
33,524
32,737
33,684
31,399
31,234
31,773
18
29,370
32,120
31,840
12,490
34,990
31,080
28,535
19
19,210
19,681
20,471
22,050
24,357
19,696
21,565
20
26,182
22,079
19,355
16,404
20,816
22,350
20,701
21
11,832
9,379
11,406
9,715
25,364
21,382
20,243
22
17,420
22,000
9,240
23,930
24,680
11,810
18,095
23
19,153
17,139
14,961
15,863
22,947
15,576
17,845
24
15,964
15,941
14,475
21,310
17,656
15,114
17,116
25
18,100
16,100
17,200
13,100
16,100
17,300
16,100
26
13,664
20,349
10,767
13,804
15,915
14,145
14,608
27
12,352
11,296
10,362
10,236
13,563
16,051
14,142
28
12,517
12,813
10,927
9,610
11,821
12,011
11,474
29
8,818
11,237
11,207
11,178
11,160
11,585
11,376
30
11,062
11,236
11,232
11,527
11,510
10,910
11,214
31
10,159
10,097
10,740
10,772
10,536
10,683
10,657
32
12,020
10,470
8,610
8,850
11,610
9,110
9,808
33
8,200
7,940
8,200
8,210
8,200
8,220
8,212
34
0
0
0
5,410
7,533
9,199
7,941
35
7,308
7,364
7,406
7,407
7,447
7,486
7,459
36
4,800
9,920
5,350
3,190
8,280
7,500
6,872
37
4,400
3,000
5,400
6,900
7,100
5,800
6,410
38
10,940
7,510
6,610
6,210
7,600
4,480
5,762
39
4,925
4,624
4,766
4,772
4,721
4,753
4,747
40
11,391
10,184
8,780
4,096
5,445
4,464
4,685
41
5,824
6,045
6,258
4,716
5,768
3,928
4,638
42
4,536
4,604
4,628
4,680
4,639
4,597
4,626
43
4,536
4,707
4,662
4,515
4,473
4,431
4,460
44
3,001
3,503
3,702
2,002
4,001
4,603
3,902
45
3,568
5,745
5,647
3,167
3,817
3,927
3,742
46
3,750
2,765
3,142
3,150
3,619
3,589
3,511
47
2,096
2,366
2,442
2,753
2,875
2,876
2,851
48
2,359
2,236
2,175
2,149
2,323
2,404
2,329
49
2,078
2,080
2,087
2,086
2,092
2,098
2,094
50
1,256
1,241
1,347
1,807
1,851
1,984
1,909
51
881
952
770
1,060
795
2,453
1,677
52
410
524
836
1,132
1,726
1,797
1,643
53
2,710
2,650
880
1,370
1,840
1,490
1,571
54
1,143
1,174
1,180
1,029
1,208
1,253
1,195
55
956
693
643
899
1,125
1,117
1,076
56
1,200
1,090
1,090
570
1,800
800
1,054
57
894
906
894
898
899
897
898
58
1,210
680
1,970
180
1,700
580
836
59
1,000
1,060
730
700
730
690
704
60
513
492
497
490
337
284
341
61
178
92
144
156
144
130
139
62
10
10
10
10
20
20
18
63
10
10
10
10
20
10
13
64
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most cherries in the world?
Türkiye is the world's largest cherry producer with 736,791 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 703,175 tonnes by 2025, accounting for approximately 26% of global production. Chile ranks second with 465,348 tonnes, followed by United States at 321,420 tonnes. Türkiye's production concentrates in Afyonkarahisar, Konya, Isparta, and Denizli provinces where continental climate provides ideal conditions for both sweet and sour cherry cultivation, serving domestic consumption and exports to Europe, Russia, and Middle East markets.
Why is Chile such a major cherry producer despite its size?
Chile's cherry industry has grown dramatically over the past two decades, driven by strategic focus on export markets, particularly China. Chile's Southern Hemisphere location provides counter-seasonal advantage, with harvest occurring in December-January when Northern Hemisphere markets have no fresh cherries. This timing, combined with modern production techniques, premium varieties, and efficient logistics, allows Chilean cherries to command high prices ($8-15/kg) in Asian markets. Government support, favorable climate in central regions, and industry investment in quality have made Chile the world's leading cherry exporter.
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
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Updated: 07.11.2025https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
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