The overall apple production volume in Chinese production areas declined in 2018 because many production areas suffered from extreme weather conditions.
The conditions in 2019 were completely different. The overall production volume in 2019 returned to regular levels because the weather conditions were quite stable throughout the year. The same can not be said for product quality. Many production areas still struggle to bring the quality of their apples up to standard. Consumers lost their enthusiasm for apples when these low-quality apples began to enter the Chinese market in large volumes. The poor performance of Chinese apples did not only impact the apple market, but the market conditions of other fruits as well.
Huaniu apples
Mr. Ma Xiaoyong of Gansu Province Li County Apple Cooperation recently shared his analysis of current conditions in the apple industry in Li County, Gansu. "The apple production volumes in every single orchard in the area greatly increased. The price of apples suddenly began to rise in the last few weeks, but the regrettable part about this development is that at the moment we do not have a lot of supply left. Of course, the prices are not all the same for the different apple varieties. The price of Fuji apples is always quite high. The current price of Fuji apples is 1.6 times higher than the price of Huaniu apples. In more concrete terms, the overall apple price has shown a downward trend this year, because the product quality is below standard. Yet the price of Fuji apples is more than 4 yuan [0.58 USD] per 0.5 kg, while the price of Huaniu apples is only around 2.8 yuan [0.40 USD] per 0.5 kg. These are the apple prices in the domestic market. In the international markets, however, apple prices are generally 1.5 times higher. Compared to the previous two years, the apple prices last year were the best."
Huaniu apples
Mr. Ma Xiaoyong mainly sells Fuji and Huaniu apples. "Fuji apples do quite well in the Chinese market, because Fuji apples are more delicious, sweeter, crisper, and more delicate than most apples. Another reason for their popularity is their ability to endure storage quite well. In this orchard we mainly produce Fuji apples. Huaniu apples enter the market before Fuji apples. They are delicious, but they do not keep very well, especially at room temperature. Fuji apples enter the market relatively late, but they can be kept at room temperature for a long time. Both apples can be kept in refrigerated storage for the same period of time, and they are both delicious."
Fuji apples
When asked about the retail conditions, Mr. Ma Xiaoyong explained that they sell apples to visiting buyers from all over the country. "However, we are also looking for opportunities to export our apples. We have a large production volume of top-quality apples, and we think we have the potential to do well in overseas markets. In addition, competition in the Chinese apple market is quite fierce, and export would be an excellent way to increase our retail channels."
Fuji apples
For more information:
Ma Xiaoyong
Gansu Province Li County Apple Cooperation
Tel.: +86 18293947352
E-mail: 3106410455@qq.com