This season of honey pomelo started in early August, and exports to the European market are expected to end before the end of October. Exports to other markets are expected to continue until the end of January. This season's pomelos are larger in size, and there are fewer medium- and small-sized fruits. Organizing the procurement of products that meet customer requirements has become a major challenge for honey pomelo exporters in Pinghe County.
Mr. Wen is from Pinghe Flourish Fruit Industrial Co., Ltd., a honey pomelo producer and exporter. He shared the origin and market situation of the honey pomelo this season. "In terms of origins, since the price of honey pomelo has been at a low level in recent years, growers have lacked motivation, and some farmers have chosen to plant other varieties. The planting area of honey pomelo in the new season has decreased compared with previous years. In addition, affected by the early cold wave weather, the total pomelo output in the Pinghe production area this season was slightly lower than in previous years. The overall pomelo quality is stable and the size is larger."
"In terms of the market, due to the reduction in production, prices in the origin of the season were very high at the beginning, and have lasted for more than two months. There is currently a strong demand in the European market for fruits that meet EU pesticide residue requirements. In addition, because the size this year is much larger than in previous years, the supply to the market is seriously insufficient. These three reasons have led to high export prices to the European market this season," said Wen.
The company mainly exports white pomelo, and the export volume of red pomelo is gradually increasing. "Exports so far this season have been relatively stable. However, because the size of fruits is so large, and many markets mainly demand medium and small grades, it has become a big challenge for us to organize supply sources that meet customer requirements."
Pinghe Flourish Fruit Industrial Co., Ltd., has a planting base of 120 hectares in Pinghe County, Fujian Province, China's core honey pomelo production area, and the base has GAP certification. "On the basis of ensuring the quality of the fruit, this season we have removed the traditional plastic nets and decorative ribbons from the outer packaging for some high-end customers, leaving only the film on the surface of the fruits to prevent rot and insect damage, reducing plastic by up to 60%. I believe that in the future, more and more customers will include suppliers’ environmental protection concepts in their evaluation criteria, and companies that optimize packaging will be able to stand out in the market."