Fresh imported durians from Thailand are always popular in the Chinese market. The peak period of the supply season began around late April and early May this year. The price started high, but that did not slow down sales. Mr. Xiang Dong of Guizhou Shou Yang Business Management Co., Ltd. recently talked about current conditions in the Chinese market for imported Thai durian.
"The price of Thai durian is 15%-20% higher than around this time last year, and that is mainly because the cost price went up. In previous years the price of Thai durian regularly increased by 50 yuan [7.33 USD] per fruit, but last year the price increased by 100 yuan [14.67 USD]. The price increase doubled. One of the reasons for this development is the cost of shipping. There is a shortage of cargo space and the international oil price went up. In addition, the cost price of production rose. Last year Thai durian sold well and the market was profitable, so this year the number of buyers in production areas increased, and so the purchase price rose too. All of these reasons stimulated the price of Thai durian, which started high this season," explained Mr. Xiang Dong.
During the peak period of the supply season, the product quality became somewhat unstable. The temperatures in production areas were not high this year and rainfall was more frequent. This had an impact on the degree of ripeness and the flavor. At the same time, shipping delays further affected the product quality of imported Thai durian. "Under regular conditions our durians reach the market within eight days of packing, but logistical delays extended the distribution time to 15-18 days. Durians do not keep well, so the impact of delays on product quality is huge."
Chinese consumers love durian. Even when the price is high, product movement is smooth. However, product quality issues sometimes slow product movement down and pull the price down too. When the price comes down, traders promote sales to stimulate retail.
Vietnamese durians were temporarily banned from the Chinese market, but in July the country received renewed permission to export durian to China. The durian production seasons in Vietnam and Thailand have some overlap, but also complement each other. That is why the decision to allow Vietnamese durian into the Chinese market attracted the attention of quite a few importers.
According to Mr. Xiang Dong: "The import of Vietnamese durian is expected to have a balancing effect on the price of Thai durian. However, the number of Vietnamese durian packing facilities that meets the requirements for export to the Chinese market is limited. Only 57 packing facilities meet the requirements, but there are more than 300 Chinese importers with an interest in Vietnamese durian. So the price of Vietnamese durian is expected to remain rather high."
Guizhou Shou Yang Business Management and its subsidiaries (collectively known as Shou Yang Fruit), provide agricultural development, fruit plantation, processing, retail, and other industrial services for fruit wholesale dealers, retailers, supermarkets, and specialized sellers. Shou Yang Fruit manages a variety of import fruits including Southeast Asian Fruit and Western fruit, as well as domestic fruit. The company has subsidiary offices in Thailand and Vietnam, as well as selection lines and packing facilities.
For more information:
Mr. Xiang Dong
Guizhou Shou Yang Business Management Co., Ltd.
Website: www.shouyangfruit.com
Tel.: +86 137 6505 1779
E-mail: xiangdong@shouyangfruit.com