From late May to June, as Yunnan and Northeast blueberries reach the end of their seasons, Shandong blueberries take over the market. Shandong is one of the main blueberry-producing areas in China.
"The advantage of blueberries from Qingdao, Shandong Province, is that there are many varieties and a long supply time. The season can be extended to early July. The core variety of Qingdao blueberries is 'Legacy,' which can be harvested as single fruits or in bunches, and also has the benefits of good taste and transportation resistance," said Mr. Liu Wei from Shandong Qingdao Zhenpin Fresh Fruit Supply Chain, which mainly deals in Shandong seasonal fruits.
"Due to the optimization of varieties, the blueberry production season in Qingdao has been advanced from April to March in the past, and greenhouse blueberries are on the market. However, the market at that time paid more attention to Yunnan blueberries, so late May is the advantageous market period for Qingdao blueberries. At present, blueberries from non-heating greenhouses are on the market. The first crop is now on the market, and it is expected that they will be available in large quantities in a week."
"Due to the optimization of varieties, the blueberry production season in Qingdao has been advanced from April to March, with greenhouse blueberries entering the market. However, the market at that time focused more on Yunnan blueberries, making late May the prime market period for Qingdao blueberries. Currently, blueberries from non-heated greenhouses are on the market. The first crop is now available, and large quantities are expected in a week."
"The temperature in the Qingdao production area throughout spring is ideal, with long sunshine hours in May. The quality and taste of blueberries this year are stable, and the output is increasing. In terms of price, because the volume of blueberries from Yunnan and other producing areas was larger than in previous years, the market was still saturated in April, affecting overall prices. The price at origin for Qingdao blueberries fell by nearly 20%. However, market demand has grown, and customer inquiries about blueberries have increased significantly since mid-May." According to reports, those with high demand are mostly wholesalers and channel dealers engaged in bulk fruit trade, while demand from fruit micro-businesses and small-scale merchants has decreased.
It is worth mentioning that, according to Liu's observation, unlike the previous two years, the number of premium blueberry packages on the market this year has greatly reduced, with most reverting to the traditional 125-gram plastic box. "Perhaps after the market verification, merchants realized that the added value of blueberry packaging is not high, and consumers care more about the blueberries themselves."
"We are well prepared in terms of equipment and personnel to welcome the peak blueberry season in Qingdao." Shandong Qingdao Zhenpin sells various fruits from Shandong, including Aomori apples, Qingdao blueberries, and cherries under its own brand "Guohongyan." Sales channels include wholesale markets, supermarkets, community group purchases, and e-commerce.