Consumption and demand of stone fruits in China 2009

Peaches are a favorite fruit among Chinese consumers. However, as China’s peach production continues to increase at a somewhat rapid pace, consumption growth has shown signs of a slowdown. In fact, many peaches are processed into juice/nectar or canned fruit, as was the case in June – August 2008, when the market was flooded with the fruit.

 

Consumers in northern China prefer sweet and firm-flesh peaches with a slightly sour taste, while southern consumers prefer sweet and soft-flesh peaches.

 

Cherry consumption is growing rapidly in China as a result of increased production, which makes the fruit more affordable for regular consumers. Although cherries are still priced much higher than more “traditional” fruit like apples, prices have dropped significantly from a few years ago. Locally produced cherries are only available in larger cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Shenyang, and Yantai. Post interviews with traders indicate Beijing’s consumers like sweet and sour tasting cherries, while consumers down south in the Yangtze Delta prefer sweeter varieties. Yellow cherries transportation, something virtually non-existent or prohibitively expensive for many export traders in China.

 

A growing middle class and increasing incomes in China have led to consumer demand for greater quality and more variety of fruit. In more developed cities, imported fruit also benefits from improved infrastructure, cold-chain storage facilities, and transportation in China.

 

According to the California Cherry Advisory Board and the Northwest Cherry Growers, about 2,137 tons of U.S. cherries, worth US$11 million, were consumed in China in 2008.

 

The value of U.S. cherry exports to China, including transshipments from Hong Kong, has experienced a 20-30 percent growth in the past three years. Based on interviews with industry, China’s total cherry imports show a steady increase over the past three years, with a record high in 2008. Traders also indicate that continued growth can be expected in the next few years.