The Chilean cherry express arrived on December 8, marking the beginning of the 2024/25 seaborne cherry season. Containers from the vessel began reaching markets that night or the following morning, quickly making seaborne cherries the most sought-after product on the market.
The main arriving varieties include Santina and Royal Dawn, with prices lower than those of the first batch last year. Traders report that the firmness of the cherries is satisfactory overall, but some issues have been noted, such as surface damage and less-than-ideal flavor. These problems may stem from the early harvest of the first batch. Many believe that the taste of cherries from the third shipment will likely be much improved.
Left: Peruvian blueberries; Right: Chilean seaborne cherries
The first container of cherries, which arrived on the evening of December 8, sold out that same night. By the morning of December 9, around 33 containers were released into the market. Prices have fluctuated slightly, reflecting market dynamics. Midweek prices for sea-freighted cherries were approximately ¥430/box for the Santina 2-in-1 variety and ¥500 per box for the 2J size. For Royal Dawn, the price was lower, at ¥230 per box for the J-grade (5KG package) and ¥280 per box for the 2J grade. Traders noted that the lower prices boosted demand, leading to strong overall sales for the first shipment. Another large vessel is expected to dock on December 13, and while the price may not drop drastically, traders anticipate a balanced market due to limited remaining stock from the first shipment.
Left: Yunnan blueberries; Right: Chilean air-freighted cherries (Rainier variety)
The arrival of sea-freighted cherries has affected air-freighted cherry prices, but the impact has been limited. Traders attribute this to the superior quality of air-freighted cherries and the relatively low market surplus. On average, air-freighted cherries are priced ¥100 per box higher than sea-freighted ones, with some batches showing a smaller difference of ¥30–¥50 per box depending on fruit quality.
A new shipment of Peruvian blueberries arrived at the port this week, further increasing market supply. However, despite cherries drawing significant consumer attention, blueberry sales remain stable. This is due to the expectation of gradually decreasing arrivals in the coming weeks. Prices for some blueberry brands have even increased compared to last week, with an average rise of less than ¥10 per box.
Left: Thailand Monthong durians; Right: Hainan sugar apples
Shipments of Australian nectarines have increased, with prices holding steady at around ¥400/box. Among the arrivals, the Diamond Pearl white-fleshed variety stands out for its exceptional flavor, commanding a higher price of approximately ¥500 per box.
The supply of imported durians has seen a slight increase, with prices falling by about 10% from last week. Vietnamese A3-grade Kanyao durians are now priced at around ¥350 per box. However, traders report slow sales due to the current dominance of cherries in consumer preferences. They expect demand for durians to pick up closer to New Year's Day, driven by festive celebrations.
Left: strawberries; Right: Papagan oranges
Sichuan Papagan oranges have entered the market, with prices significantly higher—around 20% more than last year. This increase is attributed to elevated purchase costs at the production source and strict quality control measures implemented this year. The fruit is described as sweet with a hint of tartness.