This week, the overall price of cherries remains close to last week's level, but sales have slowed down. Regarding the arrival of cherries from different origins, it is understood that the quantity and quality of Argentinian cherries this year are higher than last year. The current price is comparable to that of Chilean cherries. Meanwhile, some Australian cherries are not firm enough, leading to a lower selling price compared to earlier.
The imported apples available on the market are mainly American and French varieties, with a small amount of New Zealand apples. According to traders, the supply of American apples is lower than last year. However, due to the current market conditions and weak consumer demand, the selling price is approximately 5% lower than last year, and sales are relatively slow. Traders note that while the quality of the current arrivals is good, it is not as high as last year. Some traders also mentioned that apples with a crisper texture remain popular, while those with a powdery taste are selling more slowly. American Envy apples are now on the market, and some traders have commented that while the current arrivals are of good quality, the redness of the skin is not as vibrant as in previous years.
Left: American Envy apples; Right: Shandong-produced tomatoes on the vine
The price of French apples has dropped slightly compared to last week. Some brands of New Zealand apples are selling slowly due to their high prices, which are around ¥500 per box. Traders indicated that the overall sales of imported apples remain sluggish. In addition to weak consumer demand, the growing presence of Chinese apples is also a contributing factor. The current market price of Chinese apples is relatively low, their quality continues to improve, and their market share is expanding.
Australian white nectarines are out of stock this week, with most arrivals consisting of yellow nectarines.
Left: Yunnan blueberries; Right: Australian nectarines
Among the sweet varieties of Yunnan blueberries, large fruit sizes of 18mm or more are particularly popular, with prices around ¥220 per box. The current limited supply is driving up prices.
Left: Chinese apple gift boxes; Right: Gannan navel orange gift boxes
For Chinese apple gift boxes, traders highlighted that Red Rose apples from Yunnan are currently the most sought-after. Traders also noted that Red Rose apples from other production areas have achieved good prices and sales in recent years. This year, the newly launched Red Rose apples from Yunnan stand out due to their superior appearance, commanding slightly higher prices compared to those from other regions. In recent years, the domestic market for Red Rose apple gift boxes has been steadily expanding.
Vietnamese dragon fruits
The new season of Vietnamese dragon fruit has begun. According to traders, about two weeks ago marked the transition from the season of naturally grown fruits to the season supplemented with artificial lights, during which the limited supply drove prices up. Currently, arrivals are gradually increasing, and prices have returned to normal levels. First-class fruits are priced at about ¥110 per box, representing a roughly 10% drop compared to two weeks ago, with stable arrival quality. In terms of sales, traders report that cooler weather in many regions has reduced demand for dragon fruit, resulting in slow sales, though low-priced batches are selling more easily. Additionally, traders mentioned that in the past, the widespread availability of cherries boosted dragon fruit sales. However, in recent years, while traders have continued purchasing cherries, there has been a shift toward buying more Chinese fruits. Some traders predict that dragon fruit sales may not see a significant increase until the Chinese New Year.