The price of imported US oranges increased this week due to the trade war between the USA and China. This was particularly true for the late-season Navel oranges. However, the influence of the US-China trade war is not yet that obvious in comparison with prices of other products in the same period, such as Spanish late-season Navel oranges. At the same time, the Egyptian orange market remains in a depressed condition as before. Neither the sales price nor the sales speed show any sign of improvement. Apart from this, one point that deserves attention is that the new season of Peruvian avocados has officially begun this week. The first Peruvian avocados had already entered the market on Saturday and are currently for sale.
Black label 3107 late-season US Navel orange receive a warm welcome in the market
The State Council approved a decision from the customs tariff committee that requires all customs houses to suspend the tariff reduction for some of the products that originate in the USA. This new policy will come into effect on April 2nd. It affects 120 kinds of fruit and nut products and related manufactured products from the USA. The tariff on these 120 products will increase by 15%. As for fresh fruit, this new policy affects US Navel oranges that are currently in the last stage of the import season. It will also affect US cherries that will soon start their season. After the new policy is implemented, the tariff for US oranges will increase from 11% to 26%. Importers say that the actual price increase will be 20-30 yuan [3.18-4.77 USD] per box of oranges. The price of US oranges showed an immediate price increase as a result of this new policy. This was particularly true for late-season Navel oranges. Their price increased from 300 yuan [47.69 USD] to 320-330 yuan [50.87-52.46 USD]. The highest quality oranges even increased to 340 yuan [54.05 USD] per box.
Import market analysts say that the increased tariff for US Navel oranges and the subsequent cost increase will obviously influence the competitive position of US Navel oranges in comparison with other oranges that enter the market at the same time, such as Spanish late-season Navel oranges and Egyptian oranges. This influence, however, is not yet visible as the increased tariff came into effect on April 2nd. The market conditions for Spanish late-season Navel oranges and Egyptian oranges have not yet improved in week 13. In addition, Spanish late-season Navel oranges have suffered from frostbite this year and the skin of Egyptian oranges is relatively rough. Buyers in second and third tier cities are now eagerly buying US Navel oranges to store them. The actual influence of the increased tariff will become apparent around week 15.
Spanish and Egyptian oranges waiting to be sold
Other interesting market news this week includes the start of the new production season of Peruvian avocados. Two shipping containers of avocados from Propal arrived on the market on Saturday. The current avocado market conditions are as follows. There is still a large volume of Mexican avocados on the market, but their quality is unpredictable, so that the average price is relatively low. Although the Peruvian avocados have somewhat rough skin, their overall quality is good and their price is higher than the price of Mexican avocados.
Good-quality Peruvian avocados on the market