A shortage of larger sized fruit is pushing up prices of this year’s Chinese Fuji apple crop, adding to inflation issues already caused by growing domestic demand and rising production costs.
“Fruit size is much smaller than first anticipated,” said Rod Hill of European importer Capespan UK.
“Normally, 75-80 per cent of the fruit in Shandong would be 80mm-plus, which is the standard preferred size for Fuji. This year, it could be as low as 40 per cent.”
Collection prices of fruit in the 80mm-plus size range are escalating with the realisation the availability of this fruit is limited, he added, which is making product “expensive” to export markets.
Wipavee Watcharakorn of Thai importer Vachamon said Chinese Fuji prices had opened at around US$17 per carton versus US$12-13 per carton last season.
“Domestic demand is very strong in China and I truly believe Chinese fruits are losing their competitiveness in terms of pricing,” she told Fruitnet.com.
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