A shipment of 324 kilograms of fresh New Zealand kiwiberries recently landed at Shanghai's airport after an 11-hour journey. This consignment marks the inaugural import of kiwiberries into China, as confirmed by the Embassy of China in New Zealand. The shipment quickly passed customs following an inspection.
This development follows the signing of a protocol between China and New Zealand, enabling the import of New Zealand kiwiberries. This agreement was part of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to China in June 2024, aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and investment, as reported by Xinhua.
Shanghai, China's primary hub for fruit imports, has experienced a steady rise in fruit imports. Data from Shanghai Customs indicated that 2024 saw the city's fresh and dried fruit and nut imports reach 22.24 billion yuan ($3.05 billion), a 9.7 percent increase year-on-year, according to China Media Group.
The Chinese market continues to diversify its fruit imports, with an expanding variety of high-quality produce becoming accessible to consumers. This trend is driven by China's rising demand for premium products, noted Hong Tao, director at Beijing Technology and Business University, in the Global Times.
In 2024, China imported 1.56 million tons of durians, a 9.4 percent increase year-on-year, valued at nearly $7 billion, per the Ministry of Commerce. China remains the top global importer and consumer of durians. The list of exporting countries is expected to grow, with Laos potentially joining, as reported by the International Business Daily.
China's import market is increasingly competitive, with exporters needing to meet quality expectations and provide superior service, according to Hong. Efforts to expand imports include the China International Import Expo, reflecting China's commitment to market access and trade balance, as stated by Wang Lingjun, deputy head of China's General Administration of Customs (GAC).
GAC spokesperson Lü Daliang highlighted the potential for further import growth in 2025, emphasizing China's large market and proactive import policies.
Source: Global Times
