"Chinese apple exporters work to expand into alternative markets"

"This year, China is having a bumper harvest for apples. Even though hail has influenced the fruit production in the north, the main production areas are having a large production. Compared to last year, the total production quantity is slightly higher," states Mr. Deng Yonghong of Jingning County Xinlong Fruit Trade Co., Ltd.

Employees sorting apples

Apple fields as far as the eye can see

"We are an agricultural company that has many years of experience in exporting apples. Apart from our production sites in Gansu and Shaanxi of respectively 100 hectares (1000 mu) and 200 hectares (2000 mu), we are also working together with a Shandong apple production collaborative, holding between 200 and 300 hectares (2000 and 3000 mu) of production fields. Our apples are exported abroad through the ports of Qingdao and Shenzhen."

Jingning apples

"We choose to purchase from different production sites, because, by using the differences in production season, breeds and product quality to our advantage, we can supply all year round, and satisfy the different demands on the export market. The differences between these three production areas can be seen in four areas: firstly, the product quality and unique characteristics. The taste, sweetness and color of the Gansu apples are the best. Apples from Shandong have a lot of water, are fresh and sweet, and can be stored for a long time. Shaanxi apples are the complete opposite. They do not contain enough water, and can only be stored for a short time. Next, there is the price. Gansu apples have the highest price, followed by Shaanxi apples. The apples from Shandong are the cheapest.

Furthermore, there is the product awareness of the farmers. Contrary to farmers in Shaanxi and Gansu, who only harvest once, Shandong farmers harvest immediately, once they see that the apples are ripe, and store them within 24 hours. By picking them at their best time, the farmers guarantee the freshness of the apples. Lastly, there is the use of modern equipment. Compared to Gansu and Shaanxi, Shandong uses controlled atmosphere storages on a large scale. Contrary to constant temperature storages, these can extend the apples' shelf life."

Lots of apples

"In the past years, we have mainly exported apples to South East Asia, but under the influence of the recently implemented trade barriers in countries like India and Indonesia, our export to these countries has gotten very difficult. While we are steadily developing the East Asian market as best as we can, we are also trying to expand to new export markets, such as the Middle East and Australia. In the past few years, the export price to South East Asia has increased slightly. However, the export price is largely dependent on the production price. Overall, this year's export price will be similar to last year's."

Come meet us at Asia Fruit Logistica from 6 until 8 September at booth Q-17I, Hall 5D.

Deng Yonghong

Jingning County Xinlong Fruit Trade Co., Ltd.
www.xinlongfruit.com

Phone: +86 139 9335 7771

Email: xlfruit@aliyun.com