European plums, imported from Chile, recently replaced imported cherries as the product promoted by traders in the Chinese fruit market. The European plums from Chile sell for 9.9-14.4 yuan [1.47-2.14 USD] per 0.5 kg. People in the industry say that the price of European plums depends on the size of the plums. The price difference can be as much as 1 yuan [0.15 USD]. The plums are kept on the tree until the sweetness is just right, before they are packaged fresh and then refrigerated.
The sugar content of European plums from Xinjiang is generally higher, around 20, and their fruit peel is quite thin. The plums from Xinjiang are also more succulent than imported plums. The plums imported from Australia and Chile enter the Chinese market every year between early February and early April. The plums from the USA and China enter the Chinese market in bulk every year between July and August.
