China is, undoubtedly, one of the fruit sector's most important markets. Currently, Chile and the United States are China's main grape suppliers. Peru, however, is not far behind them and expects to surpass the U.S. in 2014 and become China's second largest grape supplier.
According to Miguel Gálvez, deputy general manager of Capechi, "the world market for imports of table grapes is of 4.4 million tonnes, approximately 8.5 billion dollars. China and Hong Kong represent 11% of this market and their share increases annually."
"In 2013, China imported $870 million dollars worth of grapes, only behind the United States," he said.
"We've already exported grapes to both locations for a value of $320 million dollars, equivalent to 135,000 tonnes," he added.
"In 2013, exports to China were of about $40 million dollars, which represents a 25% increase and those to Hong Kong reached 33 million, 35% less."
Galvez added that, "exports to both China and Hong Kong are diversified in terms of the number of exporting companies. There are approximately 50 companies in each market, and there are many that export to both markets. "
Peru's grapes are present from the third week of November (week 46) to the third week of April (week 16), thus the Peruvian fruit would be present in the Asian giant for a total of 20 weeks.
"We reach the highest price levels during the Chinese New Year's week, which is a date that varies and, this year, begins on Jan. 30. Hence, the grapes that will be consumed in the Chinese New Year should have left Peru last week," said Galvez.
"At the beginning of our season - that is, in the last quarter - we compete in the market with the grapes from the U.S., and, in the first quarter, we compete with grapes from Chile, USA and South Africa."
For his part, Paul Matos, Capechi's foreign trade manager, noted that, "grape exports to China during the period of January to October 2013 increased by over 134% when compared to the same period of 2012. This obviously means that the demand and the niche market have grown."
