Market saturation and unstable quality undermine Chinese production

31 May 2024
699

National cherry production from Shandong province has recently begun to flood the Chinese market, receiving a positive reception from numerous consumers. Compared to Bing cherries from Dalian, in Liaoning province, which hit the market in April, cherry prices have decreased significantly.

In the key cherry production region, Linqu county, in Shandong, farmers have had a good open-field cherry harvest, resulting in a price drop.

This is particularly evident for the Brooks variety, known for its bitterness and tender flesh. Just a few days ago, Brooks cherry prices were around 10-12 Chinese yuan ($1.38-1.66) per kilogram, but now they have dropped to just 4-6 yuan ($0.55-0.83) per kilogram, with smaller fruits sold for only 1-2 yuan ($0.14-0.28) per kilogram.

Meanwhile, in the city of Yantai, in Shandong, open-field Brooks cherries are currently priced at 12 yuan ($1.66) per kilogram, while higher-quality ones reach 20 yuan ($2.76) per kilogram.

Over the past two years, the volume of greenhouse cherries produced in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, has increased, with cultivation in districts like Changqing, Laiwu, and Zhangqiu. While greenhouse cherries begin to gradually appear on the market from late April, the widespread arrival of open-field cherries is not expected until late May.

Some retailers have noted that cherries are not suitable for long-distance transportation and are difficult to store; some greenhouse cherries even require refrigerated transport. For this reason, locally harvested cherries are usually sent to the market immediately, with naturally lower prices.

Once the large influx of locally grown open-field cherries enters the market in June, overall cherry prices are expected to further decrease.

Inconsistent quality and overproduction are the main factors affecting national cherry prices. In China, there is a wide variety of cherry cultivars, each with a unique taste profile. However, even for the same cultivar, significant taste differences can occur depending on growing conditions. Over time, this inconsistent quality has led many consumers to question the reliability of Chinese cherries.

Additionally, the difficulty in ensuring the quality of nationally grown cherries has led many fruit growers to opt for greenhouse cultivation to quickly recoup costs. While this method may shorten the ripening period and accelerate returns on investment for growers, it often means compromising the taste and quality of cherries.

Greenhouse cherries require artificial pollination because natural pollination is not possible in these environments. All these factors influence the taste of cherries, thereby impacting their market price.

The increase in production has also made it difficult for nationally grown cherries to maintain high prices. According to reports, Chinese sweet cherry production is expected to reach 760,000 tons in 2024, a 12% increase over the previous year. The recovery of production in Shandong province, the main cherry-producing region, and the growth of production in Sichuan and Liaoning provinces are the main factors driving this increase.

In recent years, thanks to the lucrative profits from cherry cultivation, many farmers have switched to this crop. Thanks to this trend, the cultivated area of cherries in China has exceeded 233,000 hectares, accounting for about 20% of the global total. The corresponding increase in cherry supply has intensified competition in the market, making price wars inevitable.

Source: Produce Report
Image: Pexels


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Low consumption, sustainable cultivation and high profitability: the pillars to rely on in Chile according to the Third International Seminar

Production

04 Jun 2024

‘It is crucial to implement water management measures and promote sustainable practices to ensure long-term sustainability,’ says Víctor Muñoz, ‘actions that will strengthen water security and agricultural productivity and solid support for economic development.

Export focus: 63% of Tasmanian cherry exports will go to Asia

Markets Press review

10 Jan 2024

For the 2023/24 season project the total production of Tasmanian cherries to hit approximately 4,300 tons, with an anticipated export volume of around 2,000 tons. Growers express confidence in a 15-20% upswing in export volume compared to the preceding season.

In evidenza

Cherries from Peru: a new competitor in the global market

Markets

01 Apr 2025

Peru explores cherry production with the aim of entering the Chinese market before Chile. The first exports are expected as early as next season, but experts estimate up to 10 years for significant volumes.

How altitude influences sweet cherry quality: study on four cultivars

Quality

01 Apr 2025

Altitude changes the quality of cherries, affecting organic acids and phenolic compounds. A study in Turkey on four cultivars grown at 200 and 800 m revealed changes in the nutritional profile, improving flavour and antioxidant properties of the fruit.

Tag Popolari