European cherry prices under pressure as supply rises from Italy, Ukraine, and Turkey

European wholesale cherry prices have dropped significantly in early July 2026 due to abundant supply from Italy, Ukraine, and Turkey, intensifying competition among exporters.

In Italy, the 2026 cherry season is marked by much higher availability compared to last year, with wholesale prices in week 26 ranging from €2.0/kg for smaller fruit to €5.0/kg for larger cherries. This is a notable decrease from the 2025 season, when prices reached €5.0–10.0/kg due to shortages. Italian exports, especially of the Ferrovia variety, have faced strong competition from Greece and Turkey since mid-June, resulting in reduced export volumes to key European markets such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The late-ripening Staccato variety is currently being harvested with good commercial results and rising prices within Italy, but export competition remains strong across the continent. Italian cherries are expected to remain available until mid-August, extending the supply window for European buyers, including Poland. In Ukraine, the 2026 cherry harvest exceeded initial expectations, leading to a sharp drop in farm-gate prices. By late June, wholesale prices fell to 40–60 UAH/kg, which is approximately €0.9–1.4/kg at current exchange rates, a fraction of last year's level. This abundance has made cherries more affordable for consumers but has squeezed profit margins for Ukrainian growers due to high harvesting costs. The increased Ukrainian supply is likely to affect price competitiveness in export markets across Central and Eastern Europe. Turkish cherries continue to be widely available on European markets, maintaining strong export volumes and influencing the overall price structure in the region. Competition between Turkish, Italian, Greek, and Ukrainian suppliers is putting further downward pressure on prices for importers in the EU, including Poland. Meanwhile, the Netherlands reports excellent yields and good fruit size in the ongoing cherry season, although recent heatwaves have affected some sensitive varieties. Dutch growers are observing increased demand for larger-sized cherries, especially from retail chains. In India, the first export shipment of Areko cherries from Jammu and Kashmir was sent to the UAE, with growers receiving nearly 60% higher returns than domestic prices, reflecting growing international interest in premium cherry varieties from new origins. This development could signal further diversification of supply for global markets.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker