"In recent years, the domestic market of small tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes) in China has exploded. The production areas are actively deploying and expanding rapidly, and the market side has a strong absorption capacity, while the whole sector is showing rapid growth."
Beiyuan Hange (Shaanxi) Agricultural Products Supply Chain Co., Ltd. focuses on the cultivation and sales of fresh tomatoes. Mr. Liang Zhou of the company spoke about the current domestic small tomato market to FreshPlaza.
"There are two mainstream varieties of small tomatoes grown in China, "Qianxi" and "Busan 88", which have different seasons and producing areas, and they are strong competitors when they are on the market. Our main product is "Busan 88", which can be supplied all year round under the alternate production of various producing areas, with the largest output in June and the best taste in May-October."
"The small tomato market is growing rapidly. Last year, the overall market profit of small tomatoes was ideal, and the industry was optimistic about this product and hoped to expand. Taking Ningxia as an example, due to strong market demand and a suitable climate, the production area of small tomatoes has expanded from 40 hectares last year to nearly 400 hectares this year, an increase of almost ten times. Although Ningxia is not the core producing area of small tomatoes, it is an important supplement to the overall planting area, and the prospects are good."
On the other hand, due to climatic reasons, the supply of small tomatoes is insufficient at present, and the price is higher than that of the same period last year. "The past winter was a cold winter, and a batch of small tomato seedlings was frozen, which reduced the output by one-third and increased the price. Last year, the field price was about RMB 10-12/kg, but this year it rose to RMB16-18/kg, reaching RMB 20/kg at the peak, and the price rose by about 50%. Because the market is out of stock, sales are smooth despite the high price."
Regarding areas where the small tomato industry needs to be improved, Mr. Zhou believes that the market and circulation links are smooth, and the main thing that needs to be improved at present is the planting: "The core producing area of small tomatoes is in Shandong, followed by Ningxia and parts of northwest China, and the price of small tomatoes produced in Shandong is also higher. The advantage of Shandong lies in its advanced agricultural technology but has relatively more rain, and small tomatoes are more suitable for dry and less rainy areas. The climate in Ningxia is suitable, but the planting techniques, especially in the rational use of water and fertilizer, need to be improved. If the planting techniques in Ningxia are improved, the yield and quality of small tomatoes will be better. "
Among the specifications of small tomatoes, it is understood that the specifications of medium fruit and small fruit are more popular, that is, between 6 and 12 grams.
Beiyuan Hange (Shaanxi) Agricultural Products Supply Chain Co., Ltd. specializes in the "Busan 88" variety of small tomatoes, and the brand name is "Shannaimilu," which is sold in the wholesale market. The company has a total of 150 hectares of bases in different producing areas, which are planted alternately in plastic greenhouses and open-field to achieve a year-round supply. This year, 40 hectares of the cold shed and open-field planting bases have been added and put into production.