This immense fruit industry can not be carried by domestic demand alone, but naturally caters for export as well. However, the majority of Chinese export markets are in East and Southeast Asia. The volume of Chinese fruit export to Europe and the USA is relatively small.
Why is it so difficult for Chinese fruit to enter markets in Europe and the USA? Is the quality of fruit below standard?
There are several reasons for this situation:
First, Europe and the USA are strong fruit production areas in their own right, with a rich product variety and high product quality, which makes competition fierce. It is difficult for newcomers to enter this market.
Furthermore, Europe and the USA have high-end fruit markets and the Chinese fruit industry is currently making a move from quantity to quality. Even though product quality is fast improving, there are still areas where the Chinese fruit industry falls behind, such as brand recognition and packaging.
Second, Europe and the USA are quite strict with Chinese fruit import in terms of quarantine inspection. Take the honey pomelo from Guanxi in Fujian as example. This is one of the world's top-quality honey pomelo, but because of problems with fruit flies this pomelo has been unable to obtain import permission for markets in Europe and the USA.
Third, the consumer preferences in Europe and the USA are different from consumer preferences in Asia. Consumers in Europe and the USA generally prefer sour fruits, and most Chinese fruits are relatively sweet.
Source: Daily Farm Talk Baijiahao
