According to a recent USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report, Chinese production of fruit has risen in the 2011/2012 season. A variety of factors, including favorable growing conditions and better management, have resulted in higher production of Chinese apples, grapes and pears.
Apples
The forecast for the 2011/2012 season, which runs from July of 2011 to June of 2012, is 35 million metric tons, an increase of 5% over the 2010/2011 season. Labor and production costs also rose, though better grower management has resulted in higher quality fruit. Acreage was reported to be up 3% over the previous year at 22 million hectares. Most of the increase in acreage was in western provinces where labor costs are cheaper and there is more arable land than in the east.
Farm to gate prices for apples were reported at $.88 to $1.00 per kilo in Shangdong, though less-than-expected demand has been driving prices lower.
Foreign apple imports were up 8% from the 2010/2011 season, with total imports at 80,000 metric tons. Major suppliers were Chile and the United States, with the latter's total exports to China and Hong Kong valued at $62 million.
Washington state Red Delicious apples enjoy good popularity while Gala and Granny Smith varieties have been growing in favor despite high import prices.
Total Chinese exports are estimated to be 110,000 metric tons for 2011/2012, an increase of 4% over 2010/2011. Demand for low-grade apples in Russia and neighboring Asia have bolstered export numbers.
Pears
Despite a reduction of 1% in acreage, pear production for 2011/2012 is predicted to rise 4% compared to last season. Total production is forecast at 15.6 million metric tons. The increase is mostly attributed to weather favorable to growing in pear-producing regions. Total growing area is 1.05 million hectares for 2011/2012.
Prices were 50% higher than last season with farm to gate prices for quality fruit reported to be $1.39 to $1.47 per kilo.
Total imports were up 46% from last year, with the final tally for 2011/2012 forecast at 500 metric tons. The jump in imports has largely been attributed to an agreement that opened Chinese pear markets to Belgian fruit.
In 2010, the United States provided pears and quinces to China and Hong Kong valued at $3 million. This was despite the fact that US pears don't enjoy official market access.
Exports of pears were down 5% from the previous year with a forecast of 400,000 metric tons. Neighboring countries have maintained steady demand for Chinese pears, but rising export costs and local currency appreciation have been factors in dampening foreign purchases.
Grapes
In addition to a rise in acreage of 9% for Chinese grapes, production for 2011/2012 is forecast to rise 8% to a total of 6.7 million metric tons. Total growing area is forecast at 600,000 hectares.
Farm to gate prices for Red Globe grapes reached $.91 per kilo in 2010/2011, but fell to $.60 per kilo this year. The reduction was attributed to increased production which has gone a long way toward satisfying strong demand.
Imports are up 27% from last year, with the final tally reported to be 150,000 metric tons. Strong demand for foreign grapes is met with fruit from Chile, the United States and Peru.
Last year, the total value of US shipments of grapes to China was valued at $92 million, an increase of 19% over the previous year. This is due to strong demand, especially for seedless varieties, of American grapes, which are considered to be of high quality.
Total Chinese grape exports for 2011/2012 are forecast at 115,000 metric tons, an increase of 30% from last season.