In China, demand for imported cherries is collapsing after the inner packaging of several batches of cherries was revealed to have tested positive for COVID-19.

 

 

 

Chinese media outlet Global Times reported that the inner packaging of a batch of imported cherries tested positive for COVID-19. The discovery was made last week in Wuxi District, Jiangsu Province, near Shanghai. A few days later, new discovery of an infected lot in a market in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province, in northern China.

 

 

 

The country of origin of these cherries has not been disclosed but all these fruits have been collected and will be destroyed according to local authorities.

 

 

 

This revelation dampened demand and prices fell. The average price on major e-commerce platforms hit an all-time low of 40 yuan ($ 6.18) per kilogram, compared to the usual 120 yuan ($ 18.53) per kilogram.

 

 

 

Professionals estimate that there are at least 6,000 containers of cherries that have not found buyers in China currently. If consumers continue to suspect imported cherries, the consequences will be significant for both overseas cherry exporters and Chinese importers.

 

 

 

The majority of cherries sold in China during this period come from Chile and Australia. The Chilean Embassy in China denies that the suspected cherries come from Chile. Australian growers claim their cherries are of premium quality.

The revelation of a positive COVID-19 result dissuades Chinese consumers from buying imported cherries (Photo: en.people.cn).