The current prices of Chilean cherries in China are good, but they are being tempered by more arrivals as the Chinese New Year is nearing early next month (February). Providing this update from the bustling Jiangnan Fruit & Vegetable market in Guangzhou, China, is Juan P. Mujica, Export Manager from Pura Vida Export in Chile.
Juan P. Mujica, Export Manager for Pura Vida Export in Chile visiting Chinese clients.
“The cherry price is stable, however over the next two days it will drop around 10 Rmb as a big vessel arrived from Chile, so the offer is pretty high. Prices will go up around the 3rd of February with the market closing around the 9th as people go away for the Chinese New Year. The fruit lasts about three to four days in ‘optimum’ conditions if you keep it in a cold room.”
He said that, up to this past Sunday, 14 January, 2024, Chile had 106 containers that arrived by sea with 70% being sold. “Market demand was okay on Jan 12 and poorer on Jan 13, so there were more inventories at the end of the day. Fortunately, demand picked up a little on Sunday the 14th. The market prioritized taking good quality cherries and they are happy to pay a higher price for them.”
Mujica is spending roughly a month in China to receive the fruit, visit markets and be in direct contact with their customers in China. This shows the Chilean industry's commitment to deliver the best quality says Mujica.
While the shipments are moving, the start of the season presented several challenges for Chilean producers due to the rain. The rainy and more humid conditions caused a delay in ripening and harvesting, but allowed the fruit to set and colour very well. “It affected most varieties, however the Santina variety, which is the most popular in China, was the most affected as it is the earliest one to be harvested," he states.
This led Mujica’s company to export much less containers of cherries than last year. “We have dropped our volume this year. We have been affected due to the climatic conditions, the same as most of the cherry export companies in Chile,” concludes Mujica.
For more information:
Juan P. Mujica
Pura Vida Export
Tel: +56 9 6678 7538
www.puravidaexport.cl/en/somos/