Cherry Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

Historical Cherry Prices (2020–2024)

Cherry prices in the U.S. vary depending on whether they are measured as export prices, import prices, or retail prices, and whether they pertain to fresh or processed cherries (sweet or tart). 

2020:

• Export Price: The average export price for cherries was approximately $6.94 per kilogram ($6,940 per ton). This was a peak year, reflecting high demand and possibly lower supply due to weather-related challenges in some regions.

• Import Price: The import price also peaked at around $6.94 per kilogram, the highest in the five-year span from 2017 to 2021, driven by strong global demand and limited domestic production in certain months.

• Fresh Sweet Cherry Price: According to USDA data, fresh sweet cherry prices averaged $2,150 per ton, reflecting a robust market for fresh produce.

2021:

• Export Price: Dropped to $5.86 per kilogram, a decrease from 2020’s high, possibly due to increased production or market stabilization. The USDA reported an export price peak of $7,250 per ton earlier in the year before a 17.3% decline by year-end.

• Import Price: Fell to $5.86 per kilogram, an 11.7% decrease from 2020, aligning with a slight softening of global cherry prices.

• Fresh Sweet Cherry Price: Increased to $2,680 per ton, a notable rise of $530 from 2019, indicating strong domestic demand despite export price declines. Processed cherries averaged $690 per ton.

2022:

• Export Price: Rose sharply to $7,510 per ton, a 28% increase from 2021, driven by high demand and possibly reduced supply overlap between California and Washington harvests.

• Import Price: Specific import data is less detailed, but trends suggest prices remained stable around $5–6 per kilogram.

• Retail Impact: Retail prices saw hikes due to high demand and low supply, with advertised prices reflecting seasonal shortages.

2023:

• Export Price: Declined to $5,630 per ton, a 25% drop from 2022’s peak, influenced by an oversupply from a record harvest in Washington (22.2 million boxes) and overlapping seasons with California. August 2024 export prices stabilized at $5,582 per ton, suggesting a similar trend carried into late 2023.

• Import Price: Averaged $5,292 per ton, down 11.7% from 2020’s peak, reflecting a softening market.

• Retail Price: Fresh cherry prices hit record lows in some regions, with June prices at $23.75 per package (about 9-10 lbs), the lowest in nearly a decade due to oversupply.

2024:

• Export Price: In August 2024, the average export price was $5,582 per ton, consistent with late 2023, indicating price stability. Full-year data is incomplete, but trends suggest a range of $5,500–$6,000 per ton.

• Import Price: Estimated at around $6.17 per kilogram based on predictive trends from 2017–2021 data, assuming a slight increase from 2023.

• Retail/Fresh Production: The U.S. cherry market saw a 9.5% decrease in value to $1.3 billion, with production at 354.3 thousand tons of sweet cherries, suggesting retail prices remained moderate due to steady supply.

Projected Cherry Prices for 2025

Given that it’s March 18, 2025, and full-year data for 2025 is not yet available, projections can be made based on historical trends, production forecasts, and economic factors:

• Export Price Projection: Likely to range between $5,600–$6,000 per ton. The USDA and market analyses suggest a stabilization after 2023’s oversupply, with moderate growth in export markets like Canada and South Korea. Weather conditions and harvest timing will be key factors.

• Import Price Projection: Predicted to rise to approximately $6.47 per kilogram, continuing the slight upward trend from 2024’s $6.17, driven by demand for off-season cherries from Chile and stable trade agreements.

• Retail/Fresh Cherry Price: The USDA’s Economic Research Service (February 2025) forecasts a 3.4% increase in overall food prices, with fresh fruit prices potentially rising 3.3% (prediction interval: -0.2% to 7.0%). Fresh cherry prices could hover around $2,800–$3,000 per ton, assuming no major supply disruptions. Retail prices per pound might range from $2.50–$3.50, depending on regional production outcomes.

Factors Influencing 2025 Prices

• Production Volume: Washington, California, and Oregon remain key producers. Any overlap in harvest seasons (as seen in 2023) could depress prices, while staggered harvests could stabilize or increase them.

• Weather: Early 2025 weather patterns (e.g., frost or heatwaves) could impact yields, as seen in past years like 2020 and 2023.

• Demand: Growing health consciousness and export demand (e.g., to Asia) may push prices upward, though oversupply risks remain.

• Economic Factors: Inflation and transportation costs could elevate retail prices slightly, as forecasted by the USDA.