Türkiye: A Leader in Cherry Production

Fruit cultivation plays a vital role in Türkiye’s agricultural economy, supporting livelihoods, enhancing export revenues, and contributing to sustainable rural development. Among various fruits, cherries hold a distinctive place due to Türkiye’s rich genetic diversity, favorable agro-climatic conditions, and strong position in global markets. Türkiye is not only one of the world’s top cherry producers but also a major exporter, with fresh cherries reaching markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The country’s unique microclimates, ranging from coastal to highland areas, enable the production of cherries with excellent taste, firmness, and shelf life, meeting international quality standards.

Despite its strengths, cherry farming in Türkiye faces several persistent and emerging challenges. Climate variability including late spring frosts, hailstorms, and heatwaves threatens crop yields and quality. Market volatility, influenced by global demand fluctuations and logistical disruptions, adds uncertainty for growers and exporters. Additionally, structural weaknesses in post-harvest infrastructure, such as inadequate cold storage and packaging facilities, limit the industry’s competitiveness and reduce export potential.

This report analyzes global cherry market trends, Türkiye’s production and trade performance, and sector-specific challenges and opportunities. Global demand for cherries is growing, driven by consumer preference for healthy, high-value fruits. Türkiye has an opportunity to expand its market share by investing in modern production practices, cold chain logistics, and branding. Emphasis on quality certification, integrated pest management, and climate-resilient farming can further enhance competitiveness. As we look toward 2024 and beyond, strengthening farmer cooperatives, upgrading export standards, and improving digital traceability systems will be crucial for sustaining growth in the cherry value chain. With strategic planning and targeted investments, Türkiye can reinforce its leadership in the global cherry market and deliver lasting economic benefits to rural communities.

Global Cherry Market Trends and Türkiye’s Position in 2024

The global cherry market continues to expand in both volume and value, fueled by rising demand for fresh, high-quality fruit in developed and emerging economies. In 2024, global cherry production is estimated at approximately 2.8 million tons annually (USDA, 2024), with Türkiye maintaining its position as the world’s top producer, contributing nearly 25% of total output, around 700,000 tons. Other major producers include Chile (20%), the United States (15%), and China (12%), reflecting the geographical diversity of cherry cultivation across temperate zones.

On the trade front, Chile leads the world in cherry exports, generating $2.1 billion in revenue in 2023. The United States follows with $1.3 billion, while Türkiye ranks third with $320 million in cherry exports, a decline from $450 million in 2022, largely due to adverse weather conditions, including spring frosts (TUIK, 2024). Chile’s dominance in the export market stems from several strategic advantages: its counter-season production cycle allows it to supply Northern Hemisphere markets during winter months, when local cherry supplies are unavailable. Additionally, Chile has invested heavily in cold chain infrastructure, efficient logistics, and targeted marketing campaigns that emphasize the premium quality of "Chilean Cherries."

As international markets become increasingly competitive, branding, post-harvest handling, and compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards are becoming key differentiators. While Türkiye has a natural edge in terms of production capacity and taste profile, it lags behind in export value due to limitations in cold storage facilities, inconsistent quality control, and weaker global branding efforts. To remain competitive and boost export earnings, Türkiye must improve its value chain particularly in packaging, cold logistics, and market positioning. The growing appetite for cherries in Asia and the Middle East also offers Türkiye an opportunity to diversify export destinations beyond traditional European markets.

Türkiye’s Cherry Sector

Türkiye’s cherry sector holds a distinctive place in global horticulture, rooted in its rich genetic diversity and favorable climatic conditions. Anatolia, the historical origin of sweet cherries (Prunus avium), hosts more than 200 native varieties, offering Türkiye’s growers a unique competitive advantage. Notably, premium cultivars such as 0900 Ziraat, Napoleon, and Stark Gold are renowned for their taste, firmness, and suitability for export markets. The country’s extended harvest window, from May to August, further enhances its competitiveness, enabling steady supply over four months when supported by cold storage infrastructure. Türkiye’s proximity to major European markets like Germany, Russia, and the Netherlands, which together absorb over 75% of cherry exports, underscores its logistical advantage in ensuring fruit freshness.

Despite these strengths, the sector faces several critical challenges. Climate variability, particularly spring frosts, has severely impacted production in recent years, Izmir and Manisa saw up to 90% export losses in 2023. Ongoing research at Atatürk University into frost-resistant cherry varieties using CRISPR technology signals a path forward. However, 25–30% post-harvest losses due to inadequate cold storage remain a persistent issue. To address this, the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated subsidies for pack house infrastructure.

Structural fragmentation of farms, where 85% of orchards are under five hectares, limits mechanization and economies of scale. Cooperative models, such as the Aegean Fruit Union, offer promising solutions for collective marketing and resource sharing. Meanwhile, Türkiye faces intense competition in premium export markets from Chile and the USA. Branding initiatives like " Türkiye’s Cherry" could improve recognition, akin to the global success of "Chilean Cherry."

Opportunities are emerging in processed cherry products, dried, frozen, or juiced, valued at $5 billion globally. Türkiye’s firms are ramping up investments in this space. Similarly, demand for organic cherries is rising, particularly in Europe, where Türkiye exported $50 million worth in 2023. Technology adoption, including AI-based yield forecasting and drone-assisted pest control, is gaining momentum, promising to increase efficiency and sustainability.

Policy Recommendations for Strengthening Türkiye’s Cherry Sector

To enhance Türkiye’s competitiveness in the global cherry market and support rural livelihoods, a set of targeted policy interventions is essential. One of the most pressing challenges is frost damage, which has severely disrupted production in key regions like Izmir and Manisa. The government should expand subsidies for agricultural insurance specifically tailored for cherry growers, enabling better risk management. Additionally, investment in early warning systems, based on AI and satellite weather tracking, can help farmers take preventive action before frost events occur.

Post-harvest losses, currently estimated at 25–30%, are largely due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure. To address this, the Ministry of Agriculture should initiate a national cold storage expansion strategy, aiming to increase storage capacity by at least 50% by 2026. Public-private partnerships could help accelerate this infrastructure development, especially in high-yield provinces.

Low productivity on small-scale farms is another constraint. Since over 85% of cherry orchards are under five hectares, facilitating cooperative formation through grants and offering mechanization loans for shared equipment can boost efficiency, reduce labor dependency, and raise incomes. Special credit lines through agricultural banks could support these efforts.

Finally, Türkiye must strengthen its international presence by launching a unified export branding initiative “Türkiye’s Cherry” modeled after successful campaigns like “Chilean Cherry.” This should involve trade expos, digital marketing, and geographic indication (GI) labeling to distinguish Türkiye’s cherries in premium markets such as China, Germany, and the Gulf region. Together, these recommendations offer a roadmap for resilience, sustainability, and growth in Türkiye’s cherry sector.

Conclusion

Türkiye stands at a pivotal moment in its journey as a global cherry leader. With unmatched genetic diversity, favorable agro-climatic conditions, and a strong production base, the country has all the ingredients to remain a top-tier player in the expanding global cherry market. However, realizing this potential requires overcoming persistent structural challenges. Climate shocks, post-harvest losses, and farm fragmentation continue to threaten productivity and export competitiveness. Meanwhile, the rise of Chile and the U.S. as dominant exporters underscores the urgency for Türkiye to modernize its cherry value chain.

Strategic investments in cold chain infrastructure, climate-resilient farming practices, and digital traceability are essential to minimizing losses and maintaining high-quality standards. Strengthening farmer cooperatives and providing mechanization loans can empower smallholders, enhancing yields and market access. Equally important is the development of a robust export branding strategy such as “Türkiye’s Cherry” to distinguish Türkiye’s produce in premium international markets.

Looking ahead, emerging opportunities in value-added processing, organic cultivation, and agri-tech adoption offer promising avenues for sectoral growth. If these pathways are supported through coherent policy action and stakeholder collaboration, Türkiye’s cherry sector can thrive, delivering sustained economic gains, improved rural livelihoods, and a stronger global identity for Türkiye’s horticulture.

References: TUIK; USDA; TOBB; Ministry of Agriculture; USDA; Atatürk University

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Economics, Selcuk University, Konya-Türkiye and can be reached at mdirek@selcuk.edu.tr

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