The import market in Guangzhou is currently dominated by oranges including Australian oranges, Egyptian oranges, South African oranges, Spanish oranges, and a small volume of US oranges.
Domestic blueberries (left) and New Zealand Roxy apples (right)
Australian oranges entered the Chinese market this month, and since the supply season only just started, the supply volume is still limited. The flavor is still somewhat sour and the price is the same as last week around 400 yuan [59.12 USD] per 20kg box. The price of Egyptian oranges, however, changed drastically. Last week Egyptian oranges cost 250 yuan [36.95 USD], but this week the price dropped to 130-150 yuan [19.21-22.17 USD] per box. Still, compared to last year the price is rather high. Around this time last year the supply volume was huge and the price was around 50-60 yuan [7.39-8.87 USD] per box.
Some traders explained that the supply volume will remain limited this year, so the price is not likely to come down to last year's level. Other traders pointed out that a regular price for Egyptian oranges is a bit more than 100 yuan [14.78 USD] per box.
Australian oranges (left) and South African lemons (right)
The price of South African oranges is slightly lower than in the beginning of the month, but more or less the same as last week. The price of medium- and top-quality sweet oranges is around 200 yuan [29.56 USD] per box. One traded said that the supply volume of South African oranges previously consisted of sweet oranges only, and the volume was small, so the price was high and product movement quick. Now that sour oranges entered the market, the price has come down a bit. And the lower price improved the product movement of sour oranges. The price of Spanish oranges is the same as last week and the delivery volume is small.
Egyptian oranges (left) and South African grapefruit (right)
The sales season of US oranges is almost over. The delivery volume is already rather small and the price is stable at 400 yuan [59.12 USD] per box. One trader said that the price of US oranges was as high as 500 yuan [73.90 USD] per box in the beginning of the season, but has now come down to 400 yuan [59.12 USD] per box. Earlier in the month the overall delivery volume of oranges was limited, so demand exceeded supply. That situation has changed and product movement is slower now.
Other import citrus fruit includes South African grapefruit, South African lemons, and Australian tangerines. Their prices and product movements are more or less the same as last week, but the delivery volume of Australian tangerines declined.
As for import apples, the New Zealand Roxy apple arrived on the Chinese market. This is the first time this new variety is for sale in the Chinese market. The apple has been on the market for a week and the price has slightly declined in that time. One apple trader said that the prices and sales conditions of import apples have been stable in the last few weeks. Product movement is not as swift as people had hoped.
Peruvian avocados (left) and Yangshan honey peaches (right)
Peru is currently the main supplier of avocados to Guangzhou Market. The price is somewhat lower than in the beginning of the season, but product movement is regular. One trader explained that the supply volumes of various domestic fruit varieties are growing bigger, so consumer power is divided over a greater variety of fruits. Guangzhou Market also has US cherries for sale. One trader reflected on the conditions and said that the price is higher than last year, and product movement is slower.
There are many domestic fruit varieties in Guangzhou Market. Shine Muscat grapes still dominate the grape market. Two months ago most Shine Muscat grapes came from Yunnan, but now a variety of production areas supplies the market. The price frequently fluctuates. There are also domestic red grapes and black grapes, but their supply volumes are rather small. Most of the domestic blueberries come from production areas in northeast China. One trader said that the sales conditions are stable.
Import apples (left) and Spanish oranges (right)
There are many peach varieties, but according to one trader the bestsellers are Yangshan honey peaches and Xinjiang flat peaches. The supply volume of Yangshan honey peaches is gradually growing as the harvest proceeds, and the price dropped by 26% compared to last week. Yangshan honey peaches sell well because the price is coming down and the flavor is excellent.