The cherry market - France

In 2020, the global fresh cherry market, which saw sales of $3.99 billion, is forecast to have grown at an average annual rate of 5.5% to reach $5.22 billion in 2022, according to Transparency Market Research. Despite a difficult year, with production sales down by almost 30%, the French cherry market - valued at between between 208 and 243 million euros - continued to cope with strong seasonality and growing interest in organic and local produce.

Domestic consumption in major producing countries such as Turkey and Iran remained high, with most of their production consumed locally. Imports into France, notably from Turkey and Spain, amounted to some 6,700 tonnes, an increase of 72%, indicating a notable dependence on foreign cherries to meet demand. Demand for cherries has been driven by their health benefits and popularity across all demographics, with the organic market expected to capture 5.5% of household spending by 2020. The structure of the sector is characterized by a large number of small producers and cooperatives, with the main production concentrated in south-eastern France. The majority of French cherries are sold fresh (55%), the remainder being processed for various uses, and distribution is mainly via supermarkets (32%) and markets (31%).

While cherry price data shows a 6% increase in retail prices, the industry also faces a variety of sales challenges, including price volatility and competition with other fruits. Future regulations are aimed at ensuring fairer prices and strengthening the position of producers in negotiations with distributors...

Analysis of demand trends on the French cherry market

The French cherry market, which encompasses demand for cherry varieties ranging from the famous Bigarreau and Burlat to Morello and Amarelle, presents a nuanced landscape of consumer preferences and trends. The data shows that cherries, considered the third favorite fruit of the French population, enjoy an approximate consumption rate of 2.4 kg per household. In France, demand for cherries is multifaceted, with around a third of consumption attributed to the natural state of the fruit, and the remainder used as raw material for processed products.

In terms of market trends, there is a penchant for organic and locally sourced cherries, echoing a wider societal shift emphasizing health and sustainability. With around nine out of ten French people having consumed organic produce, and three quarters including it in their monthly diet, the market is forecasting support for organic cherry variants. In addition, young people's predilections suggest a preference for products described as "authentic" and "local", suggesting growth potential for nationally branded cherries. Despite cherry preferences, the fruit faces significant competition from other seasonal substitutes. Cherries represent a meagre 1% of the total fruit market in France, which is dominated by apples, bananas and stone fruits such as peaches and nectarines. The highly seasonal nature of demand for cherries, mainly concentrated in the summer months, further intensifies this phenomenon.

Despite an increase in imports, perhaps due in part to the lifting of bans on Turkish cherries, local production is struggling to keep pace with demand, necessitating imports from countries such as Turkey and Spain. The gap between production and exports in these countries highlights the importance of domestic consumption.

To sum up, the French cherry market is going through a period of transition, in which consumer preference for organic products is increasing.rence for organic and regional products collides with the realities of import dependency and production challenges. This juxtaposition, combined with the competitive threat of substitute fruits, defines the current state of demand on the French cherry market

Cherry producers and traders

• SCA Covial: SCA Covial is a major player in the cherry industry, dedicated to providing high-quality cherries from cooperative efforts. Their approach combines the expertise of individual growers to produce cherries that meet rigorous quality standards.
• Sicoly: Sicoly is a cooperative that prides itself on supplying a diverse range of fruits, including cherries, from its member growers. It is committed to sustainable practices and to providing products that are both delicious and responsibly grown.
• AMS European: AMS European is a key distributor in the cherry market. It imports and exports cherries, as well as other fruits, ensuring that different markets have access to a constant supply of fresh produce.
• Agri Fruits Chamber: Agri Fruits Chamber operates at the heart of the agricultural industry, focusing on the cultivation and distribution of cherries and other fruits. Its concern for quality is evident in its handling and distribution processes.
• Val de Nesque: Val de Nesque is a well-known cherry-growing entity, operating with a commitment to exploiting the advantages of the local soil to produce cherries rich in flavor and quality.
• Montagnes de Venasque: Harvesting from the rich soils of the Venasque mountains, this entity markets cherries that are not only remarkable for their taste, but also for the unique geographical qualities they inherit from their growing environment.
• Straw hat collections: Known for their traditional approach, Straw hat collections emphasize a more artisanal and environmentally friendly method of cherry production, appealing to a niche audience who appreciate cherries with a distinct heritage.
• COPEBI: COPEBI is a cooperative that combines agricultural know-how and market knowledge to supply cherries that satisfy both local and wider markets. Its cooperative model ensures that member farmers benefit from shared resources and knowledge.
• Domaine le Monestier: As an artisanal producer, Domaine le Monestier offers cherries that demonstrate its commitment to refined cultivation practices and its attention to consumer demands for superior quality products.
• International Plant Selection: At the forefront of agricultural innovation, International Plant Selection is dedicated to the creation and propagation of new cherry varieties. They play a crucial role in market expansion, with new flavors and characteristics designed to appeal to consumers.
• Les Vergers de Champlain: Located in a region ideally suited to cherry growing, Vergers de Champlain produces a full range of fruits, including cherries.

Informations

• Nombre de pages : 30 pages
• Format : Version digitale et PDF
• Dernière mise à jour : 18/07/2022

Sommaire et extraits

Liste des graphiques

• Principaux pays exportateurs
• Principaux importateurs de cerises
• Marché de la cerise
• Indice moyen de volume d'achat des ménages selon l'âge de l'acheteur
• Indice moyen de volume d'achat des ménages selon la région
• Part des volumes importés ou produits en France dans le volume annuel commercialisé
• Répartition de la commercialisation des cerises sur une année.
• Surface récoltée et rendement des cultures de cerises
• Les cinq premiers départements producteurs de cerises
• Canaux de distribution de la cerise fraîche
• Commerce extérieur des fruits à pépins et à noyaux
• Principaux pays fournisseurs de cerises
• Principaux pays importateurs de cerises françaises
• Évolution du commerce extérieur de la cerise
• Récoltes de cerises Bigarreau et fabrication de cerises confites avec ces dernières
• Évolution du prix des cerises en € TTC/kg