This week in Guangzhou Fruit Wholesale Market the price of import oranges went up, some stone fruits from the USA just entered the market, and the price of Vietnamese dragon fruit came down to regular levels. (Photo right: import oranges)
One trader in Guangzhou Market explained that the delivery volume of import oranges declined in the last two weeks, and so the price has been rising. South African oranges just entered the market and their price is higher than around this time in previous years. Egyptian oranges have been on the market for a while. Their price is now around 240 yuan [35.81 USD] per box, but started out at only 100 yuan [14.92 USD] per box earlier in the season. Last year the price was only around 50 yuan [7.46 USD] per box, so the price has increased fivefold this year.
Some traders say that the reason for this development is the excessive supply volume of Egyptian oranges last year. The market can only absorb so much, and the product quality of some of the oranges was not that great. That is why the price came down. This year the delivery volume of Egyptian oranges is smaller than usual, and more recently the delivery volume declined even further. Meanwhile, market demand remains strong, so the price is going up. Since the delivery volume of Egyptian oranges is small and the price high, and the supply season of US oranges is coming to an end, the market is welcoming South African oranges with open arms. That is why the price of South African oranges opened rather high and the oranges moved quickly. Traders also pointed out that Australian oranges are about to enter the market. As for other citrus fruits, the delivery volume of South African grapefruit is rather small, so the price is high.
The import apple market is still dominated by New Zealand apples like the Red Rose and Gala apples. There are also some import apples from South Africa and Chile. Traders pointed out that the delivery volume of import apples recently declined. Traders are selling from storage, but product movement is slow.
Import apples
A small volume of US cherries and other US stone fruits recently entered Guangzhou Market. US cherries with red fruit flesh and a black pit sell from the middle of June until the end of October. The current price is around 300 yuan [44.76 USD] per box, which is a bit more expensive than around this time last year. There are also US plums, including Phoenix plums, Green Gem plums, and Peach plums. The latter is one of the most reasonably-priced plums in the market.
US Phoenix plums (left) and US Peach plums (right)
The price of Vietnamese dragon fruit soared in May and June, but is now coming down to regular levels. The supply volume was rather small in May and June, so the price went up to 200 yuan [29.84 USD] per box. Now that supply has stabilized, the price has come down again. Depending on the size of the fruit, the price ranges from several dozen yuan to more than 100 yuan [14.92 USD] per box.
Vietnamese dragon fruit
Domestic cherries
As for domestic fruit, Shine Muscat grapes and peaches are still seen in every stall. The supply season of Liaoning cherries is almost over, but product movement is regular. Yangshan honey peaches are relatively expensive. Their product quality is not bad, but product movement is slow. The supply season of winter jujubes from Dali has only just begun. The flavor is not bad, but the price is already coming down a little bit compared to the opening of the season.
Domestic winter jujubes from Dali
Honey peaches from Yangshan