• Analysis and Studies
• Cherries: import and export

Cherries are small, smooth-skinned fruits available in colors from red to nearly black. Sweet varieties like Bing are eaten fresh, while tart ones, like Montmorency, are used in cooking. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, cherries offer health benefits such as reducing inflammation and boosting immunity. Their season runs from mid-spring to summer, and they can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. In Japan, cherry blossoms are cherished for their beauty, symbolizing renewal and celebrated during the Hanami Festival.

In 2022, cherries were the world's 826th most traded product, with a total trade of $4.59B, and between 2021 and 2022 the exports grew by 7.73%, from $4.26B to $4.59B.

In 2022 the most significant exporter was Chile, with a trade of $2.08B, ahead of Hong Kong ($1.29B), United States ($344M), Turkey ($145M), and Spain ($110M). Whereas the country which imported cherries the most was China, with a trade of $3.19B, followed by Germany ($177M), Russia ($148M), United States ($130M), and Canada ($126M).

The graphic highlights a mix of dependency on major markets and efforts by some countries to diversify trade routes, influenced by proximity, demand, and political ties. Chile’s dominance as the top exporter, sending most of its cherries to China, shows how a single, powerful market can drive export strategies.

Hong Kong acts as a critical re-export hub, with nearly all of its cherries also heading to China, emphasizing China's outsized demand. In contrast, the United States maintains a more balanced approach, spreading exports across North America and Asia, while Turkey focuses heavily on Russia and Europe. Spain’s exports primarily target its European neighbors, reflecting regional integration.

1. Chile (45.3%): 88% China, 3.03% United States, 2.04% Hong Kong, 1.78% South Korea, 1.55% Chinese Taipei
2. Hong Kong (28.1%): 99.9% China
3. United States (7.51%): 35.3% Canada, 17.1% South Korea, 12.2% Chinese Taipei, 10.6% China, 7.53% Japan, 2.94% Hong Kong, 2.43% Mexico
4. Turkey (3.16%): 39% Russia, 32.7% Germany, 6.01% Austria, 4.64% Norway, 2.74% Netherlands, 1.38% Hong Kong
5. Spain (2.4%): 30.8% United Kingdom, 18.9% Germany, 9.68% Italy, 9.14% France,67% Netherlands, 5.86% Portugal, 4.69% Belgium

We can observe China’s dominant role, contrasted by more regionally focused import strategies in Europe, Russia, and North America. China, the dominant cherry importer that accounts for nearly 70% of the total market, primarily sources from Chile and Hong Kong, underscoring its significant influence on global trade.

Germany, while much smaller in scale, relies on a more diverse set of European suppliers, including Turkey, Austria, and Spain, highlighting strong regional trade connections. Russia also maintains a largely regional supply chain, importing mostly from Turkey and nearby countries like Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The United States sources from Chile and Canada, while Canada almost exclusively imports from the United States.

1. China (69.6%): 57.2% Chile, 40.3% Hong Kong, 1.14% United States
2. Germany (3.85%): 26.8% Turkey, 24.7% Austria, 11.8% Spain, 11.7% Greece, 10.5% Italy,08% Netherlands
3. Russia (3.22%): 38.2% Turkey, 28.2% Azerbaijan, 14% Uzbekistan, 7.11% Serbia, 6.11% Moldova, 0.84% Chile
4. United States (2.85%): 48.1% Chile, 43.4% Canada, 5.97% Argentina
5. Canada (2.75%): 96.5% United States, 3.06% Chile

Between 2021 and 2022, the country with the fastest growth in exports was Chile, with an increase of $386M, followed by Hong Kong ($214M), Canada ($34.6M), New Zealand ($15.6M), and Azerbaijan ($10.8M).

1. Chile: from $1.69B to $2.08B
2. Hong Kong: from $1.07B to $1.29B
3. Canada: from $63.3M to $97.9M
4. New Zealand: from $35M to $50.6M
5. Azerbaijan: from $31.1M to $41.9M

Whereas the imports grew the fastest in China, with an increase of $539M, ahead of United States ($36M), Hong Kong ($34.3M), Vietnam ($8.2M), and Chinese Taipei ($7.55M).

1. China: from $2.65B to $3.19B
2. United States: from $94.5M to $130M
3. Hong Kong: from $48.1M to $82.4M
4. Vietnam: from $33.9M to $42.1M
5. Chinese Taipei: from $98.2M to $106M

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