Although the coronavirus pandemic, already in its third year, continues to pose enormous challenges to the Chinese market, according to official data, the volumes of imported fruit in the Chinese market have not stopped increasing in the last three years, also changing the structure of imports. Recently, Shanghai Fruit Expo published a summary of Chinese fruit imports.

Spokesman Kurt Huang, who shared his impressions with FreshPlaza, believes that, as anti-COVID measures are relaxed, people's movements increase and activities resume in the hospitality, trade fair and tourism sectors, The demand for imported fruit will increase significantly. "The current 7 million tons of imported fruit are insignificant compared to the total consumption of 300 million tons."

Click here to download China import summary.

Fruit imports have increased significantly in the last three years

While many importers say their imports have decreased dramatically during the three years of the pandemic and sales have been slow, data shows that volumes of imported fruit are increasing and the structure has changed. «First of all, the effect of the pandemic in the different countries of origin is not the same. Imports of "Western fruits" such as citrus and grapes have decreased, but the amount of exotic fruits from Southeast Asia has increased steadily. This difference is reflected in the volumes shipped in the two large wholesale markets in eastern China. "The Huizhan market in Shanghai mainly markets fruits from the West, which has been severely affected by the pandemic, while the Haiguangxing market in Jiaxing, which mainly imports tropical fruits from Southeast Asia, continues to grow at a considerable pace."

«Secondly, the growth in the value of imports exceeds that of imported volumes, which indicates the structural change in the import of fresh products. China is importing more high-quality fruits, such as cherries, durians and blueberries. Furthermore, Chinese customs have cracked down on overly low price declarations in recent years, so the declared value has increased. The increase in international shipping is another reason for the significant increase in imports,” explained Kurt.

«Chilean cherries are an excellent example of this. Sales of Chilean cherries in the previous three seasons were affected by the pandemic. In the 2019-2020 cherry season, with the closure of Wuhan as the dividing line, the selling price of cherries dropped sharply during the Spring Festival. In the 2020-2021 season, in the middle of the pandemic, the price was “ruined.” Also in the 2021-2022 season, due to the excessive concentration of vessels with cherries unloading in Hong Kong and the lack of customs clearance capacity in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen canal, efficiency decreased, the quality of cherries decreased and prices suffered,” Kurt said. «In the 2022-2023 season, most Chinese recovered from the coronavirus before the Spring Festival and the consumption of cherries, a very popular fruit in this festive period, also recovered. Therefore, sales of Chilean cherries have gone very well this year and the wholesale price is more stable. Thanks to the end of anti-COVID measures in China, customs clearance and logistics of imported fruit have resumed. In addition, the destination ports for cherries have diversified. "Most vessels are unloaded directly at ports in mainland China, which reduces logistics costs and facilitates customs clearance."

«It is clear that the trade in Chilean cherries currently depends a lot on the Chinese market. Although Chile is working hard to diversify its export markets, other emerging markets are still unable to change the position that the Chinese market has. Regardless of how the Chinese market behaves, the majority of Chilean cherries currently go to the Chinese market,” Kurt noted.

There is a big gap between supply and demand for quality fruit 

Kurt believes that in the Chinese market, counter-season fruits from the southern hemisphere and exotic fruits from Southeast Asia are in an advantageous position. Producing countries in the northern hemisphere, whose season is the same as China's, will have an increasingly difficult time in the Chinese market, as they will face pressure from the quality, quantity and varieties of the national fruit. Furthermore, Chinese consumers are becoming more mature and demanding.

«To close the gap between supply and demand for high-quality fruits, a large amount of capital and people have entered the domestically grown fruit market, especially distribution companies. A large number of new varieties are being planted in pilot projects, some of which have already achieved commercial success. "The new varieties will continue to improve the quality of the national fruit in China."

Shanghai Fruit Expo helps exporters

In November 2021, the first Shanghai International Fruit Expo was successfully held, showcasing high-quality fruits from all corners of the world in mainland China. «In 2023, the second edition of the fair will take place. In addition to the luxury cast of the first edition, many new companies have been added, especially the boutique fruit growing companies that have sprung up throughout China. Since the fair focuses on domestic importers and distributors of high-quality fruits, the program largely responds to their needs. Furthermore, several participants from other producing countries stated that the relaxation of anti-COVID measures will contribute to the resumption of international exchanges and business trips, increasing market optimism. "Many foreign companies show a great willingness to participate and visit the fair."

“Coincidentally, this year's Hong Kong Expo schedule ties in perfectly with the Shanghai Expo, taking place after the fair in Shanghai. “I think this is a very good thing for the entire fruit industry,” Kurt said. «The Hong Kong fair has a focus on Asia and the Pacific, while the Shanghai Expo is positioned strongly in mainland China. The two fairs complement each other, coming together to form a complete "Fruit Week", which facilitates communication and interaction between different parts of the industry. Many foreign exporters who visit or participate in the Hong Kong exhibition will visit the mainland China market before and after the fair. “The Shanghai exhibition will bring together Chinese merchants, making these visits more efficient and comprehensive.”

«For three years, international travel has been practically paralyzed. However, while China fought the pandemic, the national economy had never stopped. Our foreign friends in the fruit sector must be very interested in visiting mainland China after four years,” said Kurt. «For those who do not have time to visit both fairs, I suggest that those entrepreneurs who are interested in developing their businesses in the mainland China market go to the Shanghai Expo. No doubt about that".