Cherry prices skyrocket in Europe: A luxury fruit in Italy

Much suggests that cherries might earn the title of "European high-price items" this year in the fruit market. Recently, the high prices encountered in the UK were alarming, and now reports of soaring costs are reaching us from sunny Italy.

The first cherries appeared in the markets in April and May. However, these fruits were only available to the wealthy. Prices reached up to £35 per 2 pounds, making this popular, sweet fruit a rare purchase in the shopping bags. Now, they can be bought for several pounds.

The situation in the UK is not isolated. As local media note, reports from Italy indicate that buying cherries currently means a considerable expense.

High cherry prices are particularly noticeable in areas far from fruit orchards. In Milan, you have to pay at least €10 for a kilogram of this fruit, with some sellers asking for as much as €20 per kilogram. This - converted into our currency - is about £17.

Unfortunately, the reason for the high prices is apparent. Farmers are struggling with natural disruptions—mainly drought—which has affected the province of Bari, responsible for 40 percent of the national cherry production. This has resulted in significantly lower harvests and a shortage of fruit on the market.

Farmers in the north face a different problem. Violent storms destroyed orchards in the area around Modena, washing away a large portion of the fruit. Rising production costs while maintaining the proper quality of fruit also pose problems. This makes cherries a luxury item in Italy this season.