India resumed apple imports from China in October 2019. Although the trade volume is not yet that big, this is the first step to a renewed apple trade between China and India. The Chinese apple industry is buzzing with this news.
The Chinese apple production volume returned to regular levels this year as weather conditions were more stable. The US Ministry of Agriculture predicts that the overall production volume of apples in China will again exceed 40 million tons and reach 41 million tons in the production season of 2019-2020. That would be an increase of 24% compared to the same period in the previous year. The price of Chinese apples greatly declined this year because the overall production volume rapidly expanded. The low price encourages export, especially in Southeast Asia, which is the main export market for Chinese apples. Consumers in Southeast Asia are sensitive to the price of apples. The overall export volume of Chinese apples is expected to reach 1.05 million tons. That is an increase of nearly 30% in comparison with the previous season.
India was once the largest export market for Chinese apples, but they temporarily closed their borders for Chinese apples. This year they opened their borders again. According to Indian media the government lifted the ban on import of Chinese apples and pears. At the same time, the Russian market also shows signs of opening again.
Chinese apple export is expected to keep growing in the next few months as the production volume is huge, the price is low, and the export market is expanding.
Source: Fruit Price Online