BEIJING: During the first two months of 2018, Chinese fruit imports increased by 22% in volume and 58% in value. The main products that contributed to this growth were cherries, oranges, blueberries, and bananas.
Chinese cherry imports amounted to a record 135,000 tons, 191% more than in the same period in 2017. Chile achieved a record harvest this season and the country’s producers are doing their best to meet the high demand of cherries from Chinese consumers, with imports of 134,000 tons (+ 194%) in just two months.
Orange exports to China increased by 40%, with 17,600 tons from the USA. (+ 30%) and 11,100 tons from Egypt (+ 76%). This year, China’s domestic orange production was hit by the citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB). Meanwhile, blueberry import volumes increased by 71% this year, with 95% coming from Chile and the rest from Peru.According to data from the Fresh Fruit Bulletin prepared by the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa), in the 2017-2018 season total exports of cherries amounted to a record 184,372 tons. China was the main destination market with a volume of 156,326 tons, which accounts for 84.7% of the total.
