Apple production in China dramatically reduced in 2018, and this has led to higher prices this year. The first 2019 early apples will become available soon. Currently, the estimates of apple production in the main production areas have been released one after another, and It is expected that the overall apple production in China will return to a normal level in 2019, but the extent of recovery in different producing areas differs. Overall, apple production has increased significantly compared to 2018, and slightly decreased from 2017.
Overall, 2019 is an abundant apple year. Since the production level in 2019 can basically reach the level in 2017, the shift in supply and demand will inevitably lead to changes in the pricing development of apples this year. Therefore, it’s very likely that apple prices may drop after large volumes become available this year.
However, for the early apples that are hitting the market soon, the current market opportunity is rare. The short supply in the apple market will continue until new crops are harvested. Therefore, whoever’s apples ripe early and become available early will get a bigger market opportunity. In previous years, when early apples became available, the volume of apples in stock was not small. However, the stock this year is a lot lower, so it is expected that the price of early apples will fetch high prices when they become available.
Source: Fruit Service Center