In 2018, besides common fruit like apples and oranges, more tropical fruit has hit China's western regions since the fruit market has been opening wider to the world.
Chen Lipeng has worked for a fruit market in the city of Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province for several years. He said it was uncommon to see tropical fruit in the market, and if they did appear, they would be extremely expensive: "But now, dragon fruit from Vietnam and Chilean cherries are very popular items in the winter.”
An increasing number of imported fruit markets have emerged in the city of Lanzhou since last year. And Chen's parent company is running more than 30 stores in Lanzhou.
In the supermarkets, shelves or booths for imported fruit have been placed in areas where they can easily grab customers' attention.
"Customers have higher requirements for fruit variety and quality since living standards have been improved and more people are pursuing a healthy diet," said Hu Junyi, a marketing department manager of a Lanzhou-based fruit company. "Upgrading of the consumption structure leads to the increase of imported fruit markets, as well as more reasonable prices and diversified options." Hu credits this to the opening-up policy of the country.
Since the first port for imported fruit and frozen aquatic products in Gansu started operation last month, residents in the hinterland are expected to taste more diverse and fresher fruit and food from overseas markets.
According to xinhuanet.com, statistics showed that China imported 3.6 million tons of fruit and its export volume was 2 million tons from January to September 2018, according to the China Fruit Marketing Association. As of October 2018, China has allowed the import of 54 types of fruit from 42 countries.
