Many Chinese kiwi fruit farmers are disappointed. The market conditions were great last year. The price set a record high. In some supermarkets the kiwi fruit sold for as much as 20 yuan [2.85 USD] per 0.5 kg. However, in many production areas this year the purchase price is only around 3 yuan [0.43 USD] per 0.5 kg. Furthermore, there are very few visiting traders interested in kiwi fruit. Some of the kiwi fruit is just rotting on the vine, waiting for a buyer. This severely upsets the farmers.
There are several reasons for the poor condition of the Chinese kiwi fruit market:
First, the overall surface area devoted to kiwi fruit plantation in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Jiangsu continues to expand. Furthermore, weather conditions were suitable this year and the overall production volume increased. As a result, supply exceeded demand.
Second, some intermediaries deliberately put pressure on the price.
Third, online sales disturb the market. There are many promotional activities with poor quality kiwi fruit for low prices. This harms consumer trust in kiwi fruit quality and puts pressure on the sales of top-quality kiwi fruit.
Fourth, there are fraudulent traders who trick consumers. They inject kiwi fruit to hasten the ripening process and swell the fruit. The supply volume grows, but the flavor declines. This dampens consumer enthusiasm for kiwi fruit.
Fifth, some farmers harvest their kiwi fruit before it is ripe. They supply the market with unripe kiwi fruit. The flavor of unripe kiwi fruit is poor and this further destroys the brand image of kiwi fruit. Consumers can not distinguish between poor-quality kiwi fruit and top-quality kiwi fruit, so they do not buy either one.
Sixth, imported fruit competes with domestic kiwi fruit. Zespri kiwi fruit from New Zealand steadily expands its Chinese market share. This certainly has an effect on the sales volume of domestic kiwi fruit.
Source: Guo Ping Jia [Fruit Reviewer]