Bananas topping the list for fruit imports into Shanghai

Imported fruit has become a new choice for many consumers. According to Shanghai Customs statistics, in the first 2 months of this year, Shanghai Customs imported 92,000 tons of fruit, an increase of 52.5% compared with the same period last year, with a value of 1.17 Billion yuan and up 37.7%. Since June last year, Shanghai Customs’ fruit import volume has increased consecutively for 9 months compared to the previous year. (1 yuan= $0.16 USD)

This year Shanghai Customs banana imports have more than doubled at 41,000 tons. Bananas account for 44.5% of total fruit imports, with the average price of 3,943.9 yuan per ton; imported dragon fruit is at 12,000 tons, with an increase of 40.7%, with the average price of 6,106.3 yuan per ton; imported grapes is at 11,000 tons, an increase of 56%, with the average price of 18,000 yuan per ton; imported cherries at 10,000 tons, an increase of 34.4%, with an average price of 50,000 yuan per ton.

Based on analysis, the Spring Festival holiday is the reason why domestic demand increased sharply in the first two months of the year. In addition, preferential trade policy agreements is also one of the driving factors in the increase of fruit imports. This year’s China's import tariffs on fruit are mostly above 10%, but because of free trade agreement, imports from ASEAN countries, Chile, and other countries on a variety of fruit have zero tariff.