Higher incomes for sour cherry growers in 2025: $2/kg in Poland.
In 2025, sour cherry exports surpassed local market consumption, and high prices in both domestic and foreign markets led to significant profits for producers, according to an analysis by expert Veaceslav Ioniță. However, farmers argue that the absence of irrigation from artesian wells impacts crop quality and competitiveness in foreign markets.
In 2025, the yield of home-grown sour cherry orchards was the lowest in the past five years due to frosts. However, large producers still managed to achieve a rich yield of 6,600 tons. High sales prices in both domestic and foreign markets led to higher incomes for farmers, according to economic expert Veaceslav Ioniță.
The average export price rose to 29.65 lei per kilogram, compared to 15.2 lei in 2024. Meanwhile, the average selling price in the domestic market increased to 9.86 lei, up from 1.95 lei the previous year.
Producers received higher prices for sour cherries on the Polish market, earning two dollars per kilogram, compared to 50 cents in 2021 and between 80 and 90 cents during 2022-2024.
"In 2025, the high export price also influenced our local market prices. We practically experienced a deficit of sour cherries locally, and our farmers compensated for a smaller harvest with very good prices," the expert noted.
The success of sour cherry producers can also be attributed to their greater focus on foreign markets. Traditionally, 75% of the sour cherry harvest was intended for the domestic market, while 25% was for export.
"We produced 8,700 tons of sour cherries, exporting 4,700 tons and consuming 4,000 tons domestically. 2025 marked a turning point, and I hope this trend continues. For the first time, we managed to export 55% of the sour cherries produced in the Republic of Moldova, exceeding local consumption," Ioniță calculated.
Farmer Emil Rotaru from the Cahul district shared with Radio Moldova that the frosts in 2025 primarily affected the earlier-blooming sour cherry varieties. He manages a 20-hectare sour cherry orchard.
Last year's harvest was substantial, totaling approximately 140 tons, a significant portion of which was exported. However, this amount was lower than the harvests in 2021-2023. Emil Rotaru noted that the main challenge he faces is the lack of irrigation in the Cahul district, which impacts the quality of sour cherries and their competitiveness in foreign markets.
"Here in Cahul, we haven't had enough water to spray the orchard. There are still discussions about allowing us to irrigate from artesian wells, but no decision has been made yet. Because of this, we are unable to compete with other countries," the farmer said on the national radio station.
The area of sour cherry orchards is on the rise. Large producers are now managing 1,900 orchards covering an area of 4,800 hectares, compared to 1,800 orchards on 4,500 hectares in 2024.
