This week in the fruit market, New Zealand apples and South African oranges continue to arrive in limited quantities, driving up prices. According to traders, the price of New Zealand apples has risen by more than 10% compared to two weeks ago, making them relatively expensive. South African oranges, which were already significantly more expensive than this time last year, have also seen further price increases, resulting in sluggish sales. Traders expect more supplies to arrive by the end of the month.
American stone fruits (Eagle Egg on the left, Emerald Beaut on the right )
More American stone fruits are arriving steadily, with the Eagle Egg and Emerald Beaut varieties being particularly popular. Traders note that Eagle Egg is especially favored due to its large size, excellent taste, and high quality. However, the cost of importing these fruits this year is higher than in previous years, leading to current prices being around 10% above average. As these fruits have just hit the market and are priced on the higher side, sales have been slow so far.
Left: Vietnam durians; Right: Sichuan seedless pomegranates
In the imported durian market, a significant influx of Vietnamese durians has been observed, leading to a drop in prices this week. Vietnamese A6-grade durians are currently selling for around ¥650-¥660 per box, while Thai durians are priced at around ¥700 per box—¥40-¥50 less than last week. Buyers have shown a preference for Vietnamese durians lately, as their quality has remained stable. In contrast, Thai durians, affected by unfavorable weather conditions in the production areas from July to August, often require more stringent quality control to avoid issues like tough, dry, and flavorless flesh.
Orange and apple gift box packaging
The price of Thai young coconuts remains stable at around ¥85 per box. Some traders mentioned that while import costs have increased, the recent rainy weather has dampened demand. With a new shipment arriving next week, they are hesitant to raise prices and aim to boost sales by maintaining stable pricing.
Vietnamese dragon fruits, which experienced fluctuating prices earlier this year, have seen a price correction as supply levels stabilized over the past two months. First-grade fruits are now priced at around ¥120-¥130 per box. However, a recent drop in supply has driven prices back up, with current prices reaching around ¥165-¥170 per box.
Xinjiang plums
Chinese-produced Xinjiang plums have entered peak season, with large quantities arriving in the market via land transport, resulting in lower prices. A 2-kg plastic package is now priced at around ¥40-¥45 each. Traders report that this year's harvest has been good, with abundant supply leading to price reductions of 30%-40% compared to previous years. The quality is relatively consistent, making lower-priced options more attractive to buyers. Market demand for plums is strong, with high sales volumes, but fierce competition among sellers. This week saw the arrival of plums from Jiashi, a premium production area, with better overall taste than last week. The initial sourness has faded, and the Brix level is higher compared to last year, with further improvements expected by the end of the month.
In anticipation of the Mid-Autumn Festival, gift boxes containing imported apples, Chinese Yunnan apples, pomegranates, and South African oranges are now available.