Global fresh cherry production could grow by 17% to reach 5.4 million tonnes in 2026/27, driven by larger harvests in China, Turkey, the European Union, and Chile. If confirmed, this would represent the highest global volume on record, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
Turkey’s harvest is projected to rise by nearly 250%—recovering from the previous year’s crop, which was severely impacted by frost—to reach 1 million tonnes. Production in China is estimated at 1.02 million tonnes, while Chile is expected to reach 727,000 tonnes. Global trade in fresh cherries is forecast to grow by more than 15%, reaching approximately 900,000 tonnes.
Chinese imports are expected to rise by 12% to 560,000 tonnes, supported by increased shipment volumes from Chile.
Chilean exports are projected to increase by 80,000 tonnes to reach 650,000 tonnes, while Turkish shipments are expected to rise from 6,000 tonnes in 2025/26 to 70,000 tonnes in 2026/27.
In contrast, U.S. fresh cherry exports are expected to stand at 62,000 tonnes—a decline of nearly 25%—as domestic production falls by more than 20%. Frost affected both tart and sweet cherry crops, while high spring temperatures caused earlier harvests for sweet cherries in California and Washington.
U.S. cherry production is estimated at 317,000 tonnes, with sweet cherries accounting for 277,000 tonnes of that total. The sweet cherry category is expected to decline by 60,000 tonnes, as frost damage in the Pacific Northwest far outweighs the recovery seen in California.
U.S. exports during June and July—supplied primarily by the Pacific Northwest—fell by 32%.
Regarding fresh peaches and nectarines, global production is projected to rise by 5% to 25 million tonnes. China is expected to reach 17.3 million tonnes, driven by normal growing conditions and increased greenhouse usage, while EU production is forecast at 3.5 million tonnes, thanks to a recovery in Spain and Greece following losses caused by adverse weather. The Turkish harvest is set to nearly double, reaching 1.2 million tonnes. Global trade is expected to grow by 10%, reaching 1 million tonnes.
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Source: Fresh Plaza
