On December 10, Chilean seaborne cherries made their debut at the Shouheng Wholesale Market in Gaobeidian, Hebei Province, China, accompanied by an opening ceremony.
"Approximately 8–10 containers were unloaded that morning, and the purchasing atmosphere among traders was very positive," shared Mr. Meng Chao of XBG. "By the end of the morning, over half of the stock had already been reserved." The Gaobeidian market serves as a vital hub for the northern region of China, where cherries, particularly the dark red variety, are highly sought after. "The lower temperatures in northern China help extend the shelf life of dark red cherries, making them especially popular in this market," Meng added.
Mr. Liu Baofeng, XBG brand founder, and Ms. Llacolén Lefever, the Agricultural Counselor of the Chilean Embassy in China
The northern Chinese market is XBG's primary focus. Discussing regional preferences and trends, Meng explained: "While the overall consumption level in northern China may not match that of central, eastern, or southern regions, northern consumers are willing to spend on food, especially on high-demand items like cherries and durians, which perform exceptionally well."
Meng also emphasized the logistical advantages offered by Tianjin Port. "Tianjin Port has steadily grown its capacity for handling imported fruits. Its proximity to northern provinces significantly improves the efficiency of fresh fruit transportation. Last year, the port received only one shipment of cherries, but this year, it's set to receive four—a testament to the success of its services and customs clearance for fresh produce."
He highlighted a key difference in consumer preferences between northern and southern markets: "The northern market favors larger fruits, whereas smaller and medium-sized fruits are more popular in the south. For example, Chilean nectarines in the #32 and #48 sizes are in higher demand in the north. If exporters can tailor their packaging and shipments based on these regional preferences, it could enhance freshness, pricing, and distribution efficiency."
XBG specializes in the wholesale of imported fruits, with durian being one of its standout products. "Our company handles over 1,800 containers of durians annually," Meng stated. "We don't engage in sourcing from production areas directly but instead focus on sales services. Our strengths include competitive pricing, an extensive customer base, and rapid payment processing. Currently, 60–80% of the major durian brands collaborate with us." Meng added that the company's existing customer network and operational model also position it well to expand its offerings to include products like cherries.
In terms of promotion, XBG is leveraging emerging platforms such as Douyin. "New media has become a critical channel for product promotion and customer engagement," Meng noted. "We encourage our team to create short promotional videos, and our combined accounts have amassed nearly 2 million followers, primarily from the fruit industry."
XBG is actively working to strengthen ties with exporters at the production end, including suppliers of Chilean cherries, Peruvian blueberries, and avocados. "We're eager to collaborate further and welcome foreign exporters to visit the northern market. Seeing the scale, stall management, and unique market characteristics here can provide valuable insights," Meng said.
Located in the Shouheng Market in Gaobeidian, Hebei, XBG distributes its products through wholesale markets, supermarkets, and fruit stores.