Nectarines and cherries grown in Dalian began to hit the market in March. This year, a small number of cherries were on the market early during the Spring Festival. "Some greenhouse cherries have entered the dormancy period by installing air-conditioning in the greenhouse so that they can go on the market earlier; as for nectarines, the price has risen this year due to the decrease in production."
Dalian Nongfutong Fruit and Vegetable Professional Cooperative mainly deals in Dalian nectarines, cherries and plums. Mr. Li from the cooperative introduced the current information about peaches and plums in Dalian to FreshPlaza.
Dalian Cherry
"The production of Dalian cherries this year is slightly higher than in previous years, and the price is basically the same. The price of cherries that went on the market earlier during the Spring Festival is quite high, and the purchase price was as high as ￥400/kg when they first went on the market, but the quantity was very small. Most of the cherries were on the market from February to March, and the current purchase price is about ￥80-100/kg, which is a regular price. In recent years, the price, market acceptance, and profit of Dalian cherries have been relatively satisfactory, and the taste has been good. The Brix can reach 15-20. Therefore, cherries have been developed more, and the production volume has increased year by year."
According to reports, the main varieties of Dalian cherries are Meizao and Russian 8. Among them, the Meizao variety is more common, and the Russian 8 variety has a better taste and crispness, the price is higher, and it is sold more in first-tier cities. Greenhouse and open-field planting are commonly adopted. Greenhouse cherries are on the market from February to March, with the highest yield and best taste during April-May; open-field cherries are on the market from June to July.
Dalian Nectarine
"The situation of nectarines is different. Due to the unsatisfactory price of nectarines last year, farmers were not enthusiastic about planting them. Many farmers gave up planting this season, which reduced this year's production by about 30%, and the price rose. In previous years, the farm-gate price of nectarines grown in greenhouses was about ¥14-¥16/kg, but this year it rose to ¥24-¥26/kg, an increase of more than half.
"In addition, it is reported that there was rain and frost when the nectarines blossomed this year. The nectarines planted in the greenhouse were not affected. It is not clear whether the nectarines planted in the open field will be affected."
Regarding market performance, Li said that online sales are far better than offline sales: "This year, Dalian peaches and plums are not selling well in wholesale markets and other offline sales, but online sales were brisk. Due to their good taste, nectarines and cherries have been actively promoted by many e-commerce companies, and the sales performance of e-commerce companies has been satisfactory in the past two years.
"Online sales include mainstream e-commerce platforms and online celebrity live broadcasts. Some large e-commerce companies purchase directly from the place of production. Li estimates that because most of the e-commerce sales groups are young people and urban "white-collar workers", compared with offline scenarios mass consumers, this group has a higher degree of acceptance of nectarines and cherries and is more willing to consume them.
Red plum and Black plum
"It is understood that some Dalian peaches and plums have been exported to Indonesia, Russia and other places, and the local market demand is high," Li added.
Nongfutong Cooperative mainly sells Dalian nectarines, Dalian cherries, and plums, mainly for domestic sales, and its channels include wholesale markets, supermarkets, and e-commerce.