In recent years, under the trend of China's domestic consumption, upgrading and supply-side reform, the intersection of the imported and the domestic fruit industry has become more and more substantial, resulting in a situation where the two phases blend. Although the pandemic that has lasted for three years has brought huge challenges to the Chinese market, according to official data, the total amount of imported fruit in the Chinese market has continued to grow in the past three years, and the structure has changed.
Recently, the 2023 International Fruit Expo announced that it will be held in Guangzhou from September 1st to 3rd, 2023. Kurt, from the Expo, was interviewed by Freshplaza.
"The impact of the pandemic on different origins and importers is not the same. The import of ‘Western goods’ such as citrus and grapes has decreased, but the total amount of tropical fruits from Southeast Asia has maintained a constant increase, which can easily make up for the gap. This difference can be seen from the overall situation of the two wholesale markets in East China. Shanghai's Huizhan Market trades mainly Western goods, which were greatly affected by the pandemic, while Jiaxing Haiguangxing Market, which mainly trades Southeast Asian tropical fruits, still maintains a rapid growth.
"Secondly, the growth rate of imports exceeds the volume of imports, indicating a change in the structure of imported products. China has imported more high-value fruits, such as cherries, durians, and blueberries. In addition, China Customs has cracked down on the under-declaration of prices in recent years, which has increased the declared price. The increase in international freight and price management at the customs are also one of the reasons for the significant increase in imports."
Kurt believes that, as the pandemic control is relaxed, the flow of people increases, and the catering, exhibition, and tourism industries resume, the city's economic heat will significantly increase the demand for imported fruits, and the growth rate of imported fruit is expected to increase significantly. "After all, 7 million tons of imported fruits are not worth mentioning in front of China's total consumption of 300 million tons. "
In November 2021, the first Shanghai International Fruit Expo was successfully held, bringing high-quality fruits from all over the world to the Chinese mainland market for display. Although it was during the pandemic period, more than 400 domestic and foreign exhibitors participated in the exhibition, and the number of visitors reached 2,000. This year, we will upgrade the Shanghai International Fruit Expo, and hold the "2023 International Fruit Expo" in Guangzhou from September 1st to 3rd, 2023.
The reason why this exhibition was changed to Guangzhou, Kurt said, is that on the one hand, it is because of the important position of Guangzhou in the field of fruit distribution in China, and on the other hand, it is also for the convenience of everyone to continue to participate in the Asia Fruit Logistica held in Hong Kong later. The holding of these two exhibitions before and after will form the "Golden Week" of the fruit industry.
"The Hong Kong exhibition has a strong Asia-Pacific attribute, and the Shanghai exhibition has a strong mainland China locality. These two exhibitions are developed together and form a complementarity. They are linked together to form a complete "Fruit Week", which is more convenient for industry insiders to communicate and interact together. In fact, many overseas exporters who go to the Hong Kong exhibition will go to mainland China to explore the Chinese market before and after the Hong Kong exhibition. The holding of the Shanghai exhibition will bring Chinese merchants together, making their exploration more efficient and comprehensive. "
"China's adjustment of the pandemic prevention policy will help to resume the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel and business travel, which will gradually restore the market's optimism. Many new overseas exhibitors have expressed their strong willingness to participate in the exhibition and visit." Kurt said, "Friends in the overseas fruit industry should also be very interested in visiting mainland China again after four years.”