Fujian Pinghe Yadan Fruit and Vegetable Cooperatives planted about 700 hectares of grapefruit. While handling more than ten thousand tons of grapefruit, they also worked on the marketing. The harvest is substantial, but co-chairman Lai Huirong is worried that the large output is bad for business.
La Huirong says: "There are approximately 700 hectares of grapefruit; this means an annual output of a few thousand tons. At the moment the prices for white grapefruit are between 1.3 Yuan and 1.4 Yuan per 0.5 kilo. This price has been around the same for several years. But the harvest of this year is much larger than previous years. High outputs will definitely have an influence on the prices."
For the last few years, along with the recognition of costumers for the taste and the nutrition of grapefruit, the sales volume of grapefruit on the market increased. Jiangsu Lingjia Tang agricultural wholesale data show that from September 15 to October 15 the amount of grapefruit entering the market reached 8000 tons, with daily sales amounting up to 250 tons or more. At the time of increased consumption, the grapefruit prices appeared to fall slightly.
Jiangsu Lingjia Tang agricultural wholesale analyst Jiang Hong says: "The grapefruit price is in a constant decline since the amount on the market increased. The average wholesale price of normal white grapefruit is 4.2 Yuan per kilo, last year the price in the same period was 5 Yuan per kilo. This is a decline of 16%. Red grapefruit are regarded on the market as high quality China produced fruit. The price for this product always maintained approximately 9 Yuan per kilo, but this year prices are fluctuating. The wholesale price of 7.2 Yuan per kilo is easier for people to swallow."
This year, there was substantial rainfall in the most important grapefruit producing areas like Fujian. The climate was relatively good for growing grapefruit. The white grapefruit, as well as the red grapefruit, appear to be of high quality. With low prices, the output is likely to sell quickly. Anhui Baida Weekly market analyst Li Tao analysed: "This year's grapefruit prices are dropping, but this is not only to do with the large output. On a certain level the price decline is also caused by other fruit."
Tao says: "This year has been a great fruit year. For example apples; large amounts entered the market, prices showed a distinctive downward trend, causing other fruit prices to drop. Another cause is that the consuming power is not particularly strong this year. Last year, the apple fruit storage selling prices were not very high, therefore bulk fruits will enter the markets this year and store amounts show a downward trend."
Now various autumn fruits and grapefruits hit the market, the grapefruit price is in more distress. Li Tao points out: "In the short time grapefruit prices will show a slight downward tendency, but with the amount of output getting smaller, more room will be created for prices to rise."
At the same time Li Tao also points out: "Along with the weather getting colder, the amount of HongKong grapefruit entering the market will expand with a peak of 200 - 300 tons and prices will drop slightly. But the decline of the market is expected to be limited."
From the marketing point of view, the sale of Hong Kong grapefruit is picking up step by step, but the differences between varieties is comparatively large. For example the price difference between red grapefruit and white grapefruit is reflecting well on the market. Jiang Hong suggests growers introduce more varieties and pay attention to brand packaging to increase incomes.
