This is the time of year when the season of imported fruit gradually gives way to the season of domestic fruit in Guangzhou Fruit Wholesale Market. The variety and supply volumes of import fruits dwindle, while a number of domestic fruits begin to enter the market. Some of the common fruits in the wholesale market, in terms of volume, are New Zealand apples, Chinese Shine Muscat grapes, and Chinese blueberries. Last week ended in a brief holiday for the celebration of Dragon Boat Festival [3 June, 2022]. There were several promotional activities in the market, which stimulated fruit sales last week.
New Zealand apples
One apple trader explained that the sales conditions and prices of apples improved this week in part because of Dragon Boat Festival, but also because the variety of import fruit is limited now. Apples are always present in large volumes and receive more attention when other import fruits are not. Another apple trader pointed out that Taylor apples sell well. But yet another apple trader argued that the price is not that different from before the festival.
Domestic blueberries (left) and Shine Muscat grapes (right)
The volume of import oranges in Guangzhou Fruit Wholesale Market is rather small at the moment. There are South African grapefruit and South African lemons. One trader explained that product movement is the same as normal. The celebrations did not have an impact on this segment of the market. The price of South African grapefruit dropped a lot. The price came down from the initial 200 yuan [30.03 USD] per box to a mere 100 yuan [15.01 USD] per box.
As for the import grapes, the main supply comes from Chile and Australia. The season of 'Sweet Globe' grapes is already almost over, but the 'Autumn Crisp' green grapes still sell well. However, according to one trader, the seasons in Australia and Chile are almost over, so the supply volume is rather small. The trader has nearly sold out all the grapes in stock, so the price has slightly gone up. He explained that product movement sped up because the supply volume declined, not because the Dragon Boat Festival stimulated grape sales. Most traders have already switched to selling Chinese Shine Muscat grapes.
New Zealand kiwi fruit
Zespri kiwi fruit from New Zealand sold well as a result of the festival, said one trader, but the price remained firm and did not go up.
The variety of domestic fruit is abundant. One of the best-sellers is the domestic Shine Muscat grape. There are numerous brands and product movement is smooth. The prices range from 50 yuan [7.51 USD] per box to more than 200 yuan [30.03 USD], depending on the brand and product quality. One trader explained that the cheaper boxes move quickly, while the expensive ones take longer to sell. The price and product quality of different brands is more or less similar to last year. As for domestic blueberries, the Dragon Boat Festival stimulated blueberry sales last week. The price remained stable. The Yunnan blueberry season is almost over, so their supply volume is shrinking, but other production areas are gradually taking over. One trader who sells Shandong blueberries said that the season of Shandong blueberries is still early. The product quality and price are regular.
Domestic honey peaches
Other domestic fruits on the market include honey peaches. There are many honey peach plantations in China, and they all enter the Chinese market at different times. There are also huge differences in product quality and BRIX-values. The market is currently supplied by plantations in Sichuan, Hebei, and Yunnan. The sales were quite good last week because of the festival. Chinese bayberries also enter the market in large volumes, but these berries do not stay fresh for very long, so traders are careful in the volumes they purchase. Sales conditions are quite regular. Domestic Kyoho grapes also just entered the market, but the season is still young, and the grapes will enter in large volumes in another month.
Chinese bayberries
As for Southeast Asian fruits, there have been few changes. The festival did not impact the sales of Southeast Asian fruit much. The product movement of Thai durian has slightly slowed down, and the price has dropped somewhat as well. Earlier in the season the durian arrived in small volumes and the product quality was high, so the price soared, but later the supply volume expanded and the overall product quality became less stable. The price dropped and product movement slowed down.