The three-day Qingming Festival holiday begins this Friday (April 4). Ahead of the holiday, sales of certain fruits, such as apples and grapes, have continued to increase. In contrast, a surge in blueberry arrivals has led to declining prices since the end of last week.
Driven by the holiday effect, the price of New Zealand apples continued to rise and is currently around $37–$38 per box. Additionally, New Zealand apples in small box packaging are proving to be popular. According to traders, small box formats were introduced during this period last year and were well-received by the market, leading to their continued availability this year. The small box offerings include Rose apples and Posy apples, catering to different customer preferences.
Left: Egyptian oranges; Right: apples in small box packaging
Imported grapes are also selling well due to holiday demand. Traders report that grape prices have not significantly changed because of the holiday, but there is a wide price range depending on quality—boxes of the same weight can vary from just over $14 to more than $41.
Most Egyptian oranges are priced at $19–$20 per box. Traders note that the current high volume and lower prices of Chinese oranges are attracting more buyers, making it difficult for Egyptian orange prices to rise. However, they also mention that the quality of Egyptian oranges has improved compared to last year and is roughly in line with typical expectations. The U.S. orange market remains strong.
Left: New Zealand red pears; Right: South African pears
New Zealand red pears have arrived on the market. Some traders report that this year's arrivals are of higher quality and grade compared to last year's, leading to a higher price, currently about $55 per box. Although the pace of purchasing red pears has slowed, sales remain steady overall.
A large volume of blueberries has arrived on the market, with nearly every trader carrying inventory, resulting in falling prices. Traders estimate that if arrivals continue to increase, prices will likely continue to decline. Currently, large-sized blueberries (22mm+) are priced at around $19 per box, while mid-sized (15mm+) varieties range between $15–$17 per box or lower. Market preferences regarding size have also shifted. Previously, buyers favored 15mm+ or 18mm+ blueberries for their consistency in quality and flavor. Now, super-large blueberries (22mm+ and 24mm+) have become more stable in quality and more visually appealing, making them increasingly popular among traders compared to mid-sized options.
Left: Yunnan blueberries; Right: Vietnamese young coconuts
The supply of Vietnamese young coconuts continues to increase. Large fruits are priced at approximately $9 per box, with quality remaining stable. As a result, the price of young Thai coconuts has declined to around $10 per box, lower than in the same period in previous years. Traders point out that Thai coconuts offer a sweeter, more aromatic juice, while Vietnamese coconuts are more affordable—each catering to different consumer segments. Currently, due to low temperatures across China, overall coconut sales remain sluggish.
Hainan Golden Diamond pineapples have started entering the market in large volumes. Traders report that bulk-sold batches are priced around $11–$12 per box, while branded products are selling for about $17 per box, with better sweetness and flavor. Sales overall are reported to be smooth.
Left: Hainan golden diamond pineapples; Right: Dalian cherries
China's Lunwan oranges are now entering the early stages of their production season, with a rapid increase in supply and solid sales. The domestic orange varieties currently on the market include blood oranges and Lunwan oranges. Traders note that blood oranges are more suitable for large-volume wholesale customers, while Lunwan oranges are preferred by those selling premium-quality fruits.
Due to the Qingming Festival demand and generally low inventory levels, both the market performance and sales of Chinese apples are described as ideal.