The Chinese market distinguishes between 'boluo' pineapples and 'fengli' pineapples. They are both pineapples, but different kinds. Larger pineapples, such as the Bali pineapples from Xuwen in Guangdong, are generally called 'boluo' pineapples. Some of the imported pineapples from Taiwan, such as Jinzuan T17, Dongmi, and Tianmimi, are called 'fengli' pineapples. The 'boluo' pineapples from Guangdong have already entered the market, and one pineapple trader from Guangdong recently talked about current conditions in the production areas and the pineapple market.
The pineapple plants in mainland China begin to flower in August, and their flowering season continues until November. These pineapples enter the Chinese market in large volumes in March. The peak period of domestic pineapples lasts from April to May. This year, however, is a double La Nina year, and extremely cold weather may delay the pineapple harvest. The weather conditions may also affect product quality. "It is still too early to estimate the impact of weather conditions on production volume and product quality this year. And there are many different factors that shape the market. So we have to wait a little while before we can predict how the market will develop this season."
"The main pineapple production areas in China are Hainan and Xuwen in Guangdong. The overall surface area devoted to the plantation of T16/17/11 and MD2 pineapple varieties in Hainan expanded this year. Hainan primarily produces for the high-end pineapple market. The surface area devoted to high-end pineapple varieties is growing. As for Xuwen, more than 98% of the pineapples in Xuwen are Bali pineapples. The overall surface area devoted to pineapple plantation in Xuwen is set. There is no way to significantly expand there. But the level of plantation management technology is rising. Looking at both Hainan and Xuwen, the overall surface area of pineapple plants in bloom has increased this season, and the production volume is expected to grow," said the pineapple trader from Guangdong.
The price of domestic pineapples fluctuated a lot last year. The General Administration of Customs China (GACC) announced on the 1st of March a temporary import ban on Taiwanese pineapples. This announcement created a temporary increase in demand for Jinzuan pineapples from Hainan and Guangdong. The production areas were unable to satisfy demand, and so the price went up. The price of 12kg pineapples soared 150 yuan [23.62 USD] per box. In April the product quality dropped because weather conditions were less than ideal. Moreover, the cold delayed the arrival of pineapples on the market, so that they arrived at the same time as lychee from south China. The lychee diluted market demand for pineapples, and so the price dropped to 65 yuan [10.23 USD] per box.
When asked about predictions for the pineapple retail market, the trader from Guangdong replied, "I think that temporary incidents will not shape the pineapple market. We have to pay attention to larger developments. The import ban only affected the Chinese pineapple industry for one month, and then the price fell again. In the end, the profit margin in the pineapple market is small."