China: Ecuador mango prices too high?

This week, the first batch of Ecuadorian mangoes arrived at the port of Shanghai and are now being sold. The mangoes are packaged in cases of 6 kg and are of the 'Tommy' brand. In total 400 cases were transported. Before the arrival of the mangoes, several media channels in the industry reported on the first batch of mangoes from Ecuador. Because the mangoes arrive by airfreight, many customers had high expectations of their quality and they went on sale at the unusually high price of 480 RMB.

Many customers came to the marketing event but sales were slower than expected. There were two reported reasons this: firstly, the price was rather high and, secondly, the mangoes' taste is not fully ripe yet. Many mangoes had to be processed to promote the ripening after they were sold. This influences the first impression buyers have when they taste the product on the spot. According to the reaction on the import market, there will be other brands coming to the market with a steady stream of products, such as Kent. An accurate assessment of the market reception for the mangoes still awaits further observation. 

Moreover, oranges from the Southern hemisphere are already at the end of the season. But prices are soaring to new heights as the supply volume shrinks. Additionally, the supply of Chinese oranges has been postponed. As a result, the novelty oranges from Australia go for a firm 360 RMB to 370 RMB. The price of the South African oranges has already risen to 190 RMB.