The Chinese market is slowly recovering from the worst impact of the pandemic. And the problems with global distribution are gradually growing less intense. Shanghai Yuqian Supply Chain Management is one of the specialized importers in Shanghai Huizhan Wholesale Market. Sean Chen, spokesperson for the company, recently talked about the conditions of various Western products in Shanghai Huizhan Wholesale Market.
The season of North American cherries does not compare to previous years, but the market prospects of Chilean cherries look good
The cherry seasons in the USA and Canada are almost over. The product quality of their cherries was not great, because the warm weather and shipping delays spoiled the cherries by the time they arrived in China. The cherries that entered the market were not as good as in previous years. "Our company reduced the import volume of North American cherries by 40%-50% this year. That was on the one hand because of problems with the product quality. Market feedback was not great and many importers suffered financial loss. And on the other hand the high price of shipping added to the cost price. Importers were not as eager as in previous years," explained Sean.
The new cherry season has begun and Chile is expected to start shipping new cherries to China by early November. Cherry production areas in Chile have not suffered from extreme weather conditions so far. The production volume and product quality are both expected to meet regular standards. When asked about the market prospects for Chilean cherries, Sean replied, "we are quite optimistic about the upcoming season of Chilean cherries. First, Chinese consumers have become used to occasional news about positive traces of Covid-19 on packaging of import fruit, so the 'cherry incident' of last year is unlikely to repeat. Second, the winter is the slow season for the Chinese fruit industry. There is not much variety on the domestic fruit market in the winter. That is when Chinese consumer demand for high-quality import fruit grows."
Peruvian blueberries arrive in large volumes, so the price is falling
The Peruvian blueberry harvest was abundant this year. The global export volume of blueberries increased in comparison with last year. The blueberries that reach China look good. "The Peruvian blueberry production season began slightly later than usual this year. Market supply was quite limited early in the season. That is why the price was much higher than last year. But in the middle of September blueberries began to arrive in large volumes. That is when the wholesale price of blueberries started to fall. The average price is now around 70-80 yuan [10.87-12.42 USD] per box," said Sean. "As for the market, the domestic market is busiest in the summer, when there is more than sufficient supply of domestic fruit and less space for import fruit. Add to this situation the pandemic and global shipping problems, and the market demand for import fruit is much lower than in pre-pandemic times."
The summer is a slow season for import fruit, and therefore a slow season for shipping. In addition, the durian production season is almost over. Chinese import of Asian fruits gradually declines. Domestic ports have taken advantage of this decline to process their backlog. Delivery times have been somewhat reduced.
In addition to cherries and blueberries, Shanghai Yuqian Supply Chain Management also imports avocados, grapes, and citrus fruits. "We are working hard to bring Chinese consumers the freshest, most delicious, and nutritious fruits from all over the world. We also do our best to open up new markets in China, so that we can help overseas suppliers raise the reputation of their top-quality fruit brands. We invest in a deepening of bilateral cooperation, so that we can truly create a win-win situation for all."
For more information:
Sean Chen
Shanghai Yuqian Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.
E-mail: sean@yqfruit.cn