Guangzhou suffered another wave of Covid-19 cases in April. The city was marked with a 'star' in the Chinese travel app. This indication significantly limited the movement into and out of Guangzhou, as well as inside the city. A week ago on Friday the star was removed. The most recent outbreak of Covid-19 in Guangzhou is largely under control. Last week the number of people moving around inside the city gradually increased again. Although the number of visitors to Guangzhou Wholesale Market is not yet at the same level as two years ago before the outbreak of the pandemic, it is much higher than two weeks ago.
The most sought-after fruit in the Guangzhou Wholesale Market at the moment is the Thai durian. The peak period of the supply season begins in April and lasts two or three months.
Most of the Thai durians currently on the market come from production areas in the east of Thailand. Product varieties include Mon Thong, Kanyao, and Tomani durian, but the supply volume of Mon Thong is the largest.
The price of durian is around 700-800 yuan [105-121 USD] per box. Even the price of second-grade durian is still more than 600 yuan [90 USD] per box. According to traders the product quality of durian this year is on the same level as last year, or even slightly better. However, the prices last year were on average 100 yuan [15 USD] higher. The number of buyers in Guangzhou Market is smaller due to the ongoing pandemic. That has an impact on the price. (Photo right: Thai durian)
Still, durians are widely popular and market demand is strong. Product movement is now smooth again. This is easily the most sought-after fruit in the market. In addition to durian, the Guangzhou Wholesale Market also sells other import fruits from Thailand including longan and green coconuts. The season of Thai longan is almost over now. The new season is expected to start in late May or early June. One 11-kg crate of cleaned Thai longan sells for 165 yuan [24.97 USD]. Green coconuts just entered the market a month ago.
Thai durian
Another seasonal fruit commonly seen in Guangzhou Market at the moment is the domestically produced blueberry. The best-selling blueberry is the Driscoll's brand blueberry. The Driscoll's blueberry plantations are in China, but set up with foreign investments. Their price is quite stable. One box of large blueberries sells for around 220 yuan [33.29 USD]. Driscoll's also sells blackberries and raspberries, which can be used in making cakes or eaten as a healthy snack. However, their target audience is rather small, so the product movement is relatively slow. Blueberries of other brands sell for around 100 yuan [15.13 USD] for a box of large blueberries.
Driscoll's blueberries and Driscoll's raspberries
As for the other imported fruits, the season of New Zealand apples has just begun. One trader who sells New Zealand apples said that Red Rose apples have recently arrived. This is still early in the season, so the flavor is somewhat tart. The Red Rose apples arrive in large volumes in May. The flavor will be better then, and the price will be lower too. The current price of Red Rose apples is around 450-460 [68.09-69.61 USD] per box. The supply season of these apples lasts until the middle of October. Another New Zealand apple variety, the so-called 'little flower' apple, sold very well last year. The current season is almost over. The price of good quality 'little flower' apples is around 770-780 yuan [116-118 USD] per box, while the price of second-grade 'little flower' apples is around 690-700 yuan [104-106 USD] per box. The retail season of 'little flower' apples will continue for another couple of weeks.
As for imported citrus fruits, US oranges usually enter the market in March and the supply season continues until July. Conditions so far have been regular, but Sunkist oranges sell rather well. The price of South African lemons slightly declined. The current price is around 230-240 yuan [34.80-36.32 USD] per box. South African lemons generally enter the market in April and May. Their product movement is smooth.
Left: Sunkist oranges / Right: South African lemons
Various Chilean plums also sell well in the Guangzhou Wholesale Market but their supply season is slowly coming to an end in May.
Guangzhou Wholesale Market also features a wide variety of premium domestic fruits. Yunnan grapes just entered the market. Their supply season continues until October. These grapes generally come in gift boxes of about 180 yuan [27.24 USD]. They sell well.
During the latest wave of Covid-19 Guangzhou Jiangnan Fruit Wholesale Market implemented relevant measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. People who enter the market were required to present evidence of a negative test result no older than 24 hours. The opening hours of the market remained the same. (Right: Yunnan grapes)