Sour Cherry Market Overview in Belarus

The Belarusian sour cherry market fell notably to $ in 2019, with a decrease of -% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the market value increased by % against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sour cherry production declined remarkably to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by % against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

The average yield of sour cherries in Belarus reduced sharply to tonnes per ha in 2019, which is down by -% compared with the year before. In general, the yield, however, saw a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of % y-o-y. The sour cherry yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2019, the yield failed to regain the momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, approx. ha of sour cherries were harvested in Belarus; waning by -% against the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of % y-o-y. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of ha, and then contracted in the following year.

In 2019, the amount of sour cherries consumed in Belarus dropped remarkably to tonnes, falling by -% on the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of % year-to-year. Sour cherry consumption peaked at tonnes in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The revenue of the sour cherry market in Belarus dropped significantly to $ in 2019, which is down by -% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the market value increased by % against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Driven by increasing demand for sour cherry in Belarus, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to bring the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

In 2019, the share of imports in total consumption accounted for % in value terms and % in physical terms. The share of imports increased moderately ( percentage point) over the period under review.

Belarus remains a net importer of sour cherry; in physical and value terms, imports consistently exceeded exports from 2012 to 2019. In 2019, there was a significant trade deficit of tonnes, which was equal to $. This tangible trade deficit reflects the fact that the market remains dependent on imports, which is likely to continue in the medium term.