As the imported cherry season draws to a close, the focus of the Chinese market is shifting towards imported peaches and plums, primarily sourced from Australia and Chile. Specializing in imported stone fruits, Guangzhou Green Belt Food Co., Ltd/Altaifresh Limited offers a diverse range of products in this category. Mike Wang, a representative from the company, provided insights into the current market dynamics of imported peaches and plums from these two countries.
"Australian plums have demonstrated exceptional performance among imported stone fruits this year. The quality and flavor of arrivals from before the Spring Festival until now have been consistently satisfactory, resulting in smooth sales. However, the volume of arrivals remains relatively limited. Conversely, Australian nectarines and plums have faced challenges, possibly due to heavy rainfall during the middle and late seasons. Australian nectarines are now dwindling in availability, with prices low and sales sluggish. While the Australian Sugar Plum has historically enjoyed popularity in the market, this year's taste and quality differ significantly. Additionally, the introduction of Chilean plums after the Spring Festival has impacted the market, affecting the price and sales of Sugar Plum compared to previous years."
"In terms of Chilean plums, Red Phoenix plums have experienced robust sales this year due to their excellent flavor and wax bloom condition. Cherry Plums, another popular variety, have also performed well, driven by their sweet taste. However, there has been a slight decline in quality compared to previous years, resulting in stable prices but subdued sales."
"Plums and nectarines, which constitute a significant portion of Chilean stone fruits, have faced challenges this season. While early arrivals showcased good quality and higher prices than the previous year, the overall quality has been lacking, with diminished sweetness. This trend is echoed in Chilean nectarines, which exhibit lower sweetness levels and inferior taste compared to previous seasons, resulting in a price decrease of approximately 20%-35%."
Mike highlighted taste, wax bloom deficiency, and insufficient hardness as primary issues impacting the sales of some peaches and plums. "We've communicated these concerns to the producing areas. Despite this, consumer demand for imported stone fruits in the Chinese market remains robust. With advancements in relevant technologies and favorable weather conditions, we remain optimistic about the prospects for the upcoming stone fruit production season. In fact, last year's imported stone fruit season yielded favorable results."
Green Belt Food primarily focuses on imported stone fruits and citrus, with sourcing origins spanning Australia, Chile, South Africa, and Spain. Their sales channels predominantly encompass wholesale markets.