Rabobank reported that the fruit market is far more globalized than the vegetable market. Around 9% of fruit plantations worldwide produce for the international market, and this percentage is still growing. The most common import and export fruits are bananas, apples, citrus fruits, and grapes. The driving force behind international fruit trade comes from Latin American countries. The largest import market is China, and this market is still growing.
Around 80% of the global fruit production is sold as fresh fruit, and this market is still growing, especially outside Europe and the USA. In the more mature markets, consumers show a preference for natural and fresh fruit.
The demand for frozen fruit has steadily increased by 5% per year in the last 10 years. The main category in frozen fruit is berries. There is a growing appreciation for frozen berries. At the same time, the global demand for processed fruit (canned, bagged, and bottled) remains stable. In Europe, Australia, and the USA, however, the demand for processed fruit fell by more than 1% per year.
The global export volume of fresh fruit grows by 7% per year. The largest import markets, such as the USA, China, and Germany, absorb much of this growth. The developing markets of China and India are becoming increasingly important in the global fruit trade. China is the largest fruit producer in the world, and the Chinese imports and exports of fresh and processed fruit are growing fast.
Source: Lao Tan Talks Fresh