The outbreak of Covid-19 early last year and the subsequent pandemic have caused significant disruptions in global trade. The fruit import and export markets in particular have suffered from this pandemic. Although conditions in China have largely stabilized, the pandemic still affects many markets across the globe. Regular distribution is interrupted by local and national lockdown measures. At the same time, the transport cost soared and a shortage of shipping containers grew more serious. The fruit import and export market suffered one disaster after another.
The distribution of imported fruit was not smooth last year. This is on the one hand because the sudden outbreak of Covid-19 depressed the market and consumers saw their purchase power decline. And on the other hand, the arrival of large volumes of fruit such as Chilean cherries put pressure on the market price. The current price is lower than it has been in years. The low price also affects the sales conditions of other import fruits such as imported kiwi fruit. China mainly imports their kiwi fruit from Italy, Greece, Chile, and New Zealand.
"We sell our Italian kiwi fruit throughout the world. our products include Dori golden kiwi fruit and Hayward green kiwi fruit. Compared to last year, current sales in the European market are much smoother, but sales in the Asian market encounter problem after problem. The Chinese market is no exception. Like many Italian kiwi fruit suppliers, we have adjusted our sales strategy. We reduced the export volume for the Chinese market to limit the risk of long-distance transport." This is according to Mr. Kevin Au Yeung, the Asian Market Sales Manager of RKG Asia Ltd. / RK Growers Srl. Italy
The sales conditions of Hayward green kiwi fruit in the Chinese market are more or less the same as last year. There are several reasons for this situation. First, the production volume of Italian kiwi fruit declined because of extreme weather conditions. The supply volume of green kiwi fruit is limited, which stimulates the price. Second, the production volume of Chinese kiwi fruit expanded this year. The price of domestic kiwi fruit is rather low this year. Furthermore, the transport cost of international distribution rapidly increased and the Euro became stronger. This adds significant financial risk to the export trade between China and Europe.
"Our main markets in China are in Shanghai and north China. Some of the markets in north China recently closed down for a second lockdown. This has a definite impact on our sales in China and our supply speed slowed down," said Mr. Kevin Au Yeung.
