The new apple season in China has just started. August is the start of the Red Gala, Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Top Red and Hua Niu harvest. The Red General and Red Star will follow in September, and the Red Blush Fuji and Pink Lady in October. David Wang, the CEO of Jinan Haoyuan Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. explains: “The Red Blush Fuji, Red Gala and Royal Gala are the most popular apple varieties in China. Last year wholesale market prices were remarkably high, around 5 yuan per kg and up. Now prices are still stabilising”.
“We are actively searching for new export markets. Our Hua Niu is popular in Myanmar and India and our Top Red apples are popular in Bangladesh. The Royal Gala is less popular in our export markets; the apple is sweeter, but doesn't look as pretty as its counterparts. The apple is much appreciated on the Chinese domestic market though because of its sweet taste. We attend international trade fairs because we want to open up more markets outside China”.
Jinan Haoyuan Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. has a pear orchard with 100 ha in the Hebei province were the Gong pear, Nanshui pear, Century pear, Gem pear, Early Su pear and Fragrant pear are grown. On 100 ha in Shandong province the company produces Golden pear, Aidang pear and Singo pear. The Ya pear is a popular variety in China. Last year export prices were high. This season export prices are starting at a low base but are expected to increase once the old crop is finished. Currently 18 kg Ya pear (around 80 pears) is trading for 9 USD. The Nan shui pear is trading for 18 to 20 USD for 13.5 kg.
“The biggest problem we face regarding fruit export is the unstable value of the Renminbi. It is hard to predict how this will develop in the coming months. Another issue we need to deal with is the food safety of Chinese products. All fruit that is exported is checked at boarder controls. We have a check system in place to make sure our products are safe and of good quality. This runs from the village leaders down to the farmers”.
“Malaysia is a good export market for us because the population is relatively wealthy. Fruit is important to people and people are willing to try new varieties. Indonesia and the Philippines are the same”.
Chinese market opening up for import fruit
Jinan Haoyuan Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. imports dragon fruit, longan and lychee from Thailand and Vietnam. David Wang is looking into starting import of grapes, pears and avocado's from South-America, New Zealand and South Africa. “Most important is to find clientèle in China that is ready to pay more for imported produce. Queens apples from New Zealand are popular in the South of China because of their sweet taste and flawless peel. Appearance of the fruit is very important on the Chinese market. This could be an issue for the Dutch conference pears: their peel is not as smooth as the pears Chinese customers are used to”.
“Citrus is becoming more popular in China. In Shandong province we estimate that the consumption of citrus has grown by 20% in the last years. We sell citrus from a cooperative in the South of China. Outside the China citrus season we are looking to start import of citrus from South-Africa”.
