As we approach the middle of March, the weather is growing warmer and so the volume of imported fruit in the Guangzhou Jiangnan Fruit Wholesale Market is also growing. Moreover, the varieties of imported fruits are growing more diverse too. There are many kinds of stone fruits, pears, avocadoes, etc. Stone fruits still dominate the market, and most of the stone fruits come from Chile and Australia.
Large bags (left) and small bags (right) of Chilean Phoenix plums
The Australian nectarines entered the market before Chinese Spring Festival [1 February, 2022] and their supply season will continue until late March. The price and sales conditions were quite good prior to Spring Festival, but in February Chilean nectarines joined the market and that changed the situation. The overall supply volume rapidly expanded, and Chilean nectarines offered stiff competition to Australian nectarines. For example, a 10-kg bag of Australian nectarines cost around 200 yuan [31.64 USD] prior to Spring Festival, but not costs around 140-150 yuan [22.15-23.73 USD]. The price dropped by 25%-30%. At the same time, Australian Queen plums entered the market and their supply volume is rather limited.
There is a wide variety of Chilean stone fruits in the market. In addition to pearl plums, cherry plums, nectarines, and lemon plums, this week another variety joined the scene: phoenix plums. These plums are sold in large boxes of 9 kg and smaller boxes. The large box costs around 300 yuan [47.45 USD], and the smaller box with 18 plums costs 200 yuan [31.64 USD]. The smaller box contains smaller phoenix plums, which is more suitable for that type of packaging. The price of plums recently increased, and the product quality is stable. According to plum traders, the sales conditions depend on the price. Reasonably-priced plums sell very quickly.
Australian Queen plums
Another recent arrival on the market is the Chilean sugar plum. The 9-kg boxes of XL plums sell for 280 yuan [44.29 USD]. The single J plums are slightly more expensive. The trader explained that this is the peak of the production season and the supply volume is rather large. The market receives a great number of inquiries about Chilean sugar plums.
The market is crowded with established import fruits and new varieties. Take the European pears from New Zealand as an example. This variety usually enters the market in the middle of March and the supply season continues until late April. The supply season is less than two months. The pears are relatively small and they are packed together in boxes of 8 or 10 pears of different sizes. The price of a 4-kg box of small European pears is around 120 yuan [18.98 USD]. These pears are sold ready-to-eat and do not require additional ripening time. This variety is particularly popular in north China.
Another commonly seen import fruit is the avocado. Most the avocados currently in the Guangzhou market come from Peru, but there is also a small supply volume of Chilean avocados. The avocado supply season lasts quite long. For example, the Peruvian avocado supply season begins in February and continues until October.