In W29 in the cherry landscape, Tridge’s analysis indicates that the 2022/23 Turkish cherry season rebounded after a challenging start. Despite early weather-related issues affecting the season, fruit quality improved. Tridge expects 2023 Turkish sweet cherry exports to reach approximately 80 thousand metric tons (mt), primarily destined for Germany, Russia, India, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Weather conditions caused significant damage to 80% of early sweet cherry trees in Kemalpasa in Turkey. The harvest season usually begins in late May and extends until mid-August, with exports continuing for about 4-6 weeks after the cherry harvest ends.
Poor weather conditions in Europe impacted early and mid-late cherry types, creating an opportunity for Turkish traders. However, the European Union (EU) demand for early cherry varieties was limited, while interest in mid to late cherries increased. Cherry prices remained stable in early Jul-23, but fluctuations are expected in W4 of Jul-23. Despite size and fumigation concerns, Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is working to expand cherry exports to South Korea, with a predicted 15% year-on-year (YoY) increase in export volume for Turkish cherries based on the current market situation.
The majority of farmers in Ukraine announced the conclusion of the cherry-selling season. Wholesale cherry batches from domestic farms were priced between USD 1.91/kilogram (kg) and USD 3.28/kg in W29, depending on quality and variety. Despite this, Ukrainian producers raised prices by an average of 30% for the remaining cherry batches in W29. The current season witnessed higher cherry prices compared to 2022. The price difference is attributed to a decrease in cherry yield and a sharp rise in production costs for cherry crops. The temporary occupation of the Kherson region and part of the Zaporizhzhia region, which were traditionally major cherry cultivation areas, led to a production decrease. The increased cost led to reduced demand as consumers were hesitant to purchase domestic cherries at such high prices.
Lastly, among the five cherry-producing provinces (Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut, Santa Cruz and Mendoza) in Argentina, Mendoza stands out with the largest planted area, at approximately 720 hectares (ha). Although the area has decreased over the past few decades, advancements in technology, improved varieties, and modern agricultural practices have resulted in better performance and higher-quality fruit compared to 30 years ago. A significant portion of Mendoza's cherry production is destined for export, particularly to markets that demand the first fruits of the southern hemisphere. Argentina gained access to the Chinese market only five years ago. However, the long transport time and the need for fruit to travel well present challenges. Despite the competitive global market, Argentina finds a viable market domestically, where the first fruits are sold at favorable prices. The currency exchange rate also plays a role, making exporting less appealing due to economic conditions.
