Spanish fruit exporters had been waiting years for the opening of the Chinese market, and even more so in recent times, given the closure of the Russian market. For the first time, China will import peaches, Paraguayo peaches, nectarines and plums from Europe, and Spain will be the largest supplier.
The first reactions of the leading stonefruit exporters have already appeared, and they all agree that Spain is more than qualified to open trade routes with China to market its stonefruit, while stressing the great responsibility that this entails, and that, for now, the actual demand is not as significant as it may seem.
"If the right market conditions are achieved, we are ready and on the starting line to start working with China," affirms Josep Presseguer, CEO of Fruits de Ponent, Europe's largest producer and exporter of stonefruit.
In a recent interview with FreshPlaza, Presseguer recalled that "the combination of the know-how of Spanish stonefruit growers and the improvement of transit times will allow our fruit to have no match there in terms of quality. But there is still much work to do to open a real trade route, because having the protocols open does not mean that we'll be able to start exporting immediately. Russia took ten years to open and one afternoon to close."
The first shipments should be by air
"We want to start conducting tests to determine which varieties are more suitable for such long distances and which are best suited to the tastes of Chinese consumers," explains Joaquín Gomez, president of APOEXPA, which represents 7 registered Murcian companies authorised to export to China.
"We want to start this process as soon as possible, so we intend to make early fruit shipments mainly by air, provided it reaches its destination in the best possible condition."
According to experts, quality import fruit is highly appreciated in China by citizens with the highest purchasing power, much more than local fruit, so the logistics costs of airfreight would not pose a big problem. However, the requirement of 15 days in cold treatment may hamper the operations.
According to data supplied by the FAO, Chinese stonefruit imports are extremely limited, with a total of 17,137 tonnes of plums from Chile, New Zealand and the United States, and 74 tonnes of peaches and nectarines from Australia.
"This is certainly great news, although for now, we must acknowledge that China's demand is not so important; that is why it is crucial for all our work to be up to the highest standards from the very beginning," points out José María Naranjo, Head of Market Development of the Extremadura-based producer and marketer Tanny Nature.
The exporter warns that "the hardest part is yet to come, since the success of the first batches will fully determine whether we can successfully establish ourselves in any market. We are talking about 30 days' transit time which, in reality, can be extended for up to 40 days before the fruit hits the shelves, depending on the city."
"We have to strictly comply with the quality requirements demanded and make our shipments in an orderly fashion. The reputation of Spain as a brand is now at stake. Let us follow the example of Spanish citrus exporters in these markets, who are doing a very professional job," he adds.
"We have great prospects for Paraguayo peaches"
We know in advance that China has a preference for sub-acid varieties. We have great prospects for Paraguayo peaches; a fruit which the Chinese call "fruit from heaven," affirms Joaquín Gómez, of APOEXPA.
The acreage devoted to Paraguayo or flat peaches has recorded the most considerable growth, compared to other stonefruit varieties, both in Murcia and Catalonia, in many cases replacing traditional peaches. If Paraguayo peaches become successful in this market, the European markets will be decongested, thus preventing the oversupply that many had feared for future campaigns.
