Due to the decline in market volume due to the recent cold wave and the stimulation of consumption during the holidays, the price and volume of Chinese strawberries rebounded after New Year's Day up to the eve of the Chinese New Year. It is understood that this season’s strawberries are on the market earlier and their market performance is greatly affected by the cold wave. The Dandong region in Liaoning Province is an important production area for domestic strawberries. Mr. Ma Tingdong, the head of the Dandong Shengye Berry Professional Cooperative, introduced relevant information about Dandong strawberries.
"With the further development of seedling technology and facilities, farmers are more familiar with early strawberry cultivation technology. Dandong strawberries were first launched in September 2023, one month earlier than 2022, and the early market volume has at least doubled. The initial price on the market was the same as last year. However, due to the increase in market volume in the early stage, the price fell rapidly. In addition, the overall fruit market was relatively weak at that time, so between October and December in 2023, strawberry prices were generally low."
"The cold wave is an important factor affecting the price and quality of strawberries this year. This winter's cold waves are frequent and snowy, and the low temperature lasts for a long time, which reduces the commercial fruit rate and market volume, and the price rises accordingly. Besides, the cold waves affect the quality and quality. The taste has declined and affected the growth of the next crop. As the weather in the production area gradually improved after January, the seedlings recovered, and the taste and coloring of the fruits also improved. Judging from the time, the quality of strawberries after the Chinese New Year will be better."
Talking about the market performance of Dandong strawberries on the eve of the Chinese New Year, Ma said that the price increase this year was similar to those in the past, but the price increase occurred three days earlier and had already increased a week before the Eve. "The current purchasing price and sales are both ideal, and buyers are active. Because strawberries are on the market earlier this season and the peak production period is different from the past, the recent single-day market volume is less than before, which is also one of the reasons for the better prices." According to reports, the current purchase price of medium and high-grade fruits is about ￥40-70/kg.
In addition to domestic sales, Dandong strawberries are exported to Southeast Asia, Russia, Hong Kong and other places all year round until May. It is understood that the current export volume has increased by more than 30% compared with last year, and new markets such as Thailand and Indonesia have been opened up. The overall response is satisfactory. Except for Hong Kong, strawberries are mostly exported by air freight, but the current high air freight costs have an impact on the competitiveness of strawberry exports.
When asked about the development direction of Dandong strawberries, Ma said that variety diversification is becoming a trend: “Dandong strawberries have always been mainly red traditional varieties, but as the market has paid increasing attention to new non-red varieties in recent years, the production area has begun with some new varieties on a large scale, such as pink, white, and black strawberries. As the stability of new varieties increases, their volume on the market will increase in the future.”
Shengye Berry Professional Cooperative
Dandong Shengye Berry Professional Cooperative owns about 800 hectares of orchards. Under the brand "Shengyeguoyuan", its products include strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi berries, which can be sold domestically and exported.