Chinese consumer demand for fresh fruit is growing now that the COVID-19 epidemic in China is gradually weakening. In the last few weeks, the three largest import fruits were pineapples, oranges, and red grapes. Manager Zhong of GoGo Qingdao Limited Shanghai recently provided insight in the market conditions for these three import fruits.
"Imported pineapples are mainly sold in the restaurant business. However, during the COVID-19 epidemic, many restaurants had to temporarily close their doors. The Chinese market for pineapples suffered the consequences and market conditions significantly weakened. The delivery volume declined by nearly 50% in comparison with the same period last year. Now that the COVID-19 epidemic in China is gradually being brought under control, the market is opening up again and conditions slowly improve. However, the market prices are still quite chaotic. A 12-kg box of pineapples sells for anything between 60 yuan and 80 yuan [8.47-11.30 USD]. The price of S&W pineapples from the Philippines is around 70 yuan [9.88 USD], which is almost 20% lower than around this time last year," said manager Zhong.
Apart from pineapples, the Chinese market for import oranges has been quite weak as well for the last two months. "We imported Egyptian oranges for 120 yuan [16.94 USD] per box of 15 kg, but the market price has already dropped to around 100 yuan [14.12 USD] per box. The main reason for this price drop is a decline in demand. The market is not strong enough to maintain a higher price. Many orange importers have slowed down the sales speed in the hope that the market will improve. Our sales volume of Egyptian oranges is almost 50% smaller than around this time last year."
The market conditions of red grapes were completely different from the market conditions of pineapples and oranges. The price of import red grapes maintained its high position. "The sales season of imported red grapes from Peru is already almost over. The sales season of imported red grapes from Chile is only just starting now. Market demand is still growing and the supply volume is currently quite small, which means that import red grapes have a stable market. The price of Chilean red grapes in Shanghai is around 170 yuan [24 USD] per box of 15 kg, which is more or less around the same level as last year," explained manager Zhong.
"A growing number of Chinese companies are returning to business as usual. Restaurants are opening up again. The import volume and supply speed of fruits are both showing significant improvements, although market demand still has a long way to go before it returns to the same level as last year. Personally, however, I believe that things are taking a turn for the better," said manager Zhong.
When asked whether the COVID-19 pandemic in overseas countries will have an effect on fruit import in China, manager Zhong replied, "we are currently still able to order and receive import fruit from our overseas partners. I have not heard of any restrictions."
GoGo Qingdao is a specialized fruit import company. The company mainly sells import fruit in the wholesale markets of first- and second-tier cities, as well as Yonghui Supermarkets, Pagoda, and Fruit Day. GoGo Qindao also sells through major e-commerce platforms.
"I believe competition will only grow more fierce in the Chinese fruit market. Imported fruit brands with a stable price-quality ratio will draw the attention of wholesale traders. We hope to supply Chinese consumers with a wide variety of our high-quality, reasonably-priced imported fruit. In this way we hope to enrich the Chinese consumer experience," said manager Zhong.
For more information:
Zhong Hui - Manager
GoGo Qingdao Limited Shanghai
Tel.: +86 18521551556