While people are busy celebrating and giving respect to the late President of America, George Washington, you might include baking or buying a homemade cherry pie since it’s one of the most favorite pies in the United States. In fact, it’s the top seller pie for the whole month of February because today, February 20, is Cherry Pie Day in America although there is no official proclamation that it’s considered an extension of a holiday for President Washington. Hence, as you munch on this delightful and delectable treat, you may wish to refer to this list as to the top cherry producing countries in the world, so you’ll appreciate every bite that you’ll give in it. The statistics below are based on the data per tonnes from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States that have been released in 2010.

10. Chile (59,000 tones)

Photo Source: http://geocurrents.info/news-map/economics-news/the-cherry-export-boom-in-chilean-patagonia

Chile is growing in volume since its 2010 report. In fact, there is a great demand in supply and production from the area plantation down to for processing category. There is a 40% increase because of the 1,500 to 2,500 new plantations of cherries. Moreover, it boosted the cultivation process because of the weather conditions that resulted to high yields and profits for Chileans. The country has 21,000 acres of cherries, and they are now exporting nearly 40,000 metric tons. Aside from grape, cherry is one of the top agriculture profit sources, which are mainly concentrated in the central valley of the nation. They have also adapted new cherry-growing techniques that resulted to abundance of harvest.

9. Russia (66,700 tones)

Photo Source: http://www.theamazingpics.com/2013/02/stunning-beautiful-frozen-cherries-russia/

When it comes to sour cherries, Russia is on the top of the list followed by Poland, Turkey, and Ukraine. In fact, they are contributing 16% compared to Turkey that shares 11%. There is a decreased reported in 2010 by 3%, which was far different from the 19% increase it had in 2009. One of the noted causes of its decline is the advantage of shipments being done in the American West Coast, and the lower imports added to that decrease. They made an improvement in 2011 because of the 80% increase in volume that equates to 157% value. Hence, they hold the title as the number one importer of cherries in the world, while they are also known as the second largest importer of peaches as part of the type fruits that they are growing and utilizing which includes apricot and plum as well.

8. Romania (70, 290 tones)

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There is an increasing rate of sour cherries that Romania produced from 1996 up to the current year. It has a 2.1% shares when it comes to area harvested per hectare. One of the end products of cherries is its popular alcoholic beverage known as Visinata, which came from the mixture of alcohol, sugar, and of course sour cherries. They are known for commercial products made of cherries from drinks, cocktail, syrup, and even candies.

7. Ukraine (73, 000 tones)

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Tart Cherry is the number one product that Ukraine produces out of cherries. Since 2005, they have adjoined in the international project entitled “World Market for Tart Cherry Products”, they made an extensive effort to increase cultivation in areas that could give high-yield profit and results. In fact, they have been holding the third spot of the largest grower of tart cherries next to Russia and Poland. They have a total of 15 cultivars with the last report of registration made in 2005. Analysts are positive that sweet cherries will boost overall sales business of the country along with other fruits and vegetables.

6. Uzbekistan (75, 000 tones)

Photo Source: http://www.21food.com/products/iqf-cherries-757077.html

This country solely relies to their economic development and fruition through farming. In fact, majority of the people here are deriving their income from this sector. It’s the same reason why there is a huge support from the government when it comes to fruit seeds, production, land, storage, sales, and exportation. They have also adapted new technologies, especially in their irrigation systems. They have an increased sale in cherry juice production for the past 3 months of about 459.

5. Spain (80, 300 tones)

Photo Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/06/19/fruit-loot-spains-economic-crisis-spawns-wave-of-crop-thefts/

Cherry production has increased at the beginning of the 20^th century. Moreover, there are other areas that have been cultivated to add one of the most dominant crops in Spain, which is cherry. It is the second largest producer of cherries in Europe, and it all commenced in orchards planted on hills that produced quality harvest. Through the years, they have tried and utilized latest system in order to achieve high-yielding results. In fact, at the beginning of 2013, Spain is positive that they would have an increased growth until 2014.

4. Italy (115, 476 tones)

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The northern part of Italy has produced considerable amounts of agricultural products, especially in fruits being led by cherries, apples, kiwi, and others. The evolution of cherries continue because of the different methods that they have adapted since 1994 like dwarfing, growing pedestrian orchards, precocious rootstocks, and other training systems. They are still shaping this cherry industry, but they have cracked the magic in the continuous productions of the fruit by checking on harvest costs and labor shortages. They have also adapted at harvest and post-harvest handling. Moreover, the Italy fresh cherries both sweet and sour have increased in the fresh domestic consumption since 1982 although there were negative fluctuations. Who would have thought that despite of the climate changes happening in Italy, it still serves and produces the highest cultivation and production of cherries?

3. Iran (255, 500 tones)

Photo Source: http://www.gardentoday.com/plant-encyclopedia/fruits-vegetables/cherries

It is no wonder why Iran got the third spot in consistent years since farming occupies 1/3 of the country’s growth. Based on the demographics and land area, you could only find 12% portion of their land that are under cultivation. In fact, they are the third largest producer of cherries  based on the global producer ranking, which is equal with other products that they have like apples, cantaloupes, figs, gherkins, melons, and watermelons. Hence, their sour cherries are placed at 7^th worldwide. In fact, they are doing harvesting, post harvesting, producing, and preserving systems. None of cherries are turn into waste even the least quality ones are use in chocolate making and pastry.

2. United States (287, 305 tones)

PhotoSource: http://ucanr.org/repository/CAO/landingpage.cfm?article=ca.v065n02p66&fulltext=yes

It is true that majority of the cherry production encompasses Europe and it’s about 40%, but United States contributes 13% to the total world production of cherries. The top producing states in this country when it comes to sour or tart and sweet cherries are California, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington for about 97%. Hence, Michigan covers the major tart production for about 90%. About 83% of tart cherries are being used for processed products like frozen ones, canned, and other juices. Cherries were brought to the United States because of the gift of friendship that Japan extended to the people of America in 1912. There are about 73.1 million pounds tart cherry production in 2012, although 2011 had 231.7. On the other hand, an 11% increased in sweet cherry has been forecasted.

1. Turkey (417, 905 tones)

Photo Source: http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/organic-agricultures-growth-spurt-in-turkey.html

Cherries control the 24% market of Turkey, and this is the reason why it’s considered as the sleeping giant when it comes to cherry production and harvesting. Comparison wise from 1995 where you could only find considerable amount of quality cherries, but after 10 years, amidst the primitive methods and techniques that Turkish were using in growing cherries, and the effects of Balkan war, it did make vast developments. The high export rate of quality cherries in Europe actually comes in Turkey and it’s because of the low cost, and it continuously influencing the whole Europe. Its magnitude does not change, and it still holds the number one spot as the highest producing cherry in the world.