China: Spring Festival pushes up prices for imported fruit

According to some industry experts, the price of imported cherries went up this year, but the domestic sales prices are slightly down on previous years. The rise in demand before the Spring Festival has brought some comfort to imported fruit traders. This week the most significant rise was in imported grapes. The price of Peruvian red grapes last week rose about 20% and they currently sell for around 250 yuan. South African Black seedless grapes rose last week from 150 to 170 yuan, but seedless green grapes were stable.

Currently, the main varieties of Chilean Cherries on the market are Bing and Lapins; there are more than 30 brands and the price varies significantly depending on the quality of the goods. The highest price of J hit 470 yuan, the general price is about 350 yuan. The price of JJ hit 580 yuan at the top of the market, but the average price was about 400 yuan.

Durian has supply shortages and the quality is not stable; prices continue to rise, up to 750 yuan. Vietnam white dragon fruit was up to 180 yuan and 170 for the red dragon fruit.

For other varieties prices were basically stable with no large price increases. Belgium pears, for a big box, went at 190 yuan. 105 yuan for Chilean blueberries. 4kg Chilean avocados sell for 105 yuan, and Mexican 5.5kg avocados sell at 150 yuan.

Zespri golden Kiwis this season saw low sales with a stable price at 25 to 210 yuan.