“The Baby mandarin season started two weeks ago. We are currently exporting small volumes of an early-mature variety, which will last until the end of October. By then, the main season starts and big volumes will enter the market. The season runs until the end of January.”
“We export 50% of our Baby mandarins to Indonesia, 10% to Dubai, Malaysia and Canada, 20% to Thailand and 20% to Bangladesh and India. We also sell premium Baby mandarins on the Chinese domestic market. In China we sell our products online only.”
“We supply premium fruit only. Indonesia is a big market for Baby mandarin with strict entry requirements. In addition, the Indonesian government demands advanced cold treatment and processing techniques. All suppliers need Global GAP certificates. We meet these requirements, which is our strong competitive advantage. The Indonesian government has decreased its mandarin import quota this year. As a result, total import of mandarin has gone down.”
“Last season we pioneered the import of citrus from Peru and South-Africa. We experienced a number of problems. The product we received did not meet our quality standards. As such, we could not market the products we bought. Secondly, there is strong competition verging on oversupply of the Chinese market. This year, big volumes arrived from Australia, South Africa and South America. Prices were volatile and it is hard to predict what the market will do.”
“Next season we want to continue with the import of citrus. I am now looking for suppliers that posses their own orchards and run their own breeding programmes. We want to expand our market share on the Chinese market. We also want to import mangosteen, durian and longan from Southeast Asia and red Globe grapes from Peru.”
