Wayne Prowse provides an update on Asia’s biggest market, where total import volumes are up sharply on last year, driven by bananas and cherries
China’s fruit imports recorded strong volume growth in the 12 months to the end of September 2025, climbing by 17 per cent year on year to hit 7.2m tonnes, according to China Customs data.
The value of imports grew at a much slower rate in the same period, however, rising by 4.2 per cent to reach almost US$16bn. Unit value dropped by almost 11 per cent year on year, averaging US$2.21 per kg.
Bananas were a key contributor to the volume growth, with imports increasing almost 20 per cent year on year to 1.98m tonnes. Vietnam overtook the Philippines to become China’s largest supplier of banana imports last year, and it consolidated that leading position in the 12 months to September.
Vietnam’s exports grew 19 per cent year on year to top 707,000 tonnes, giving it a 36 per cent share of total imports. The Philippines ranked second with a 29 per cent share, followed by Ecuador and Cambodia, each accounting for around 15 per cent of total imports.
Cherry imports recorded an even more dramatic increase in volume, with shipments touching almost 550,000 tonnes, up 42 per cent year on year. Chile accounted for almost all supplies, but total import value increased by only 4.7 per cent, reaching US$3.3bn. Unit value dropped by more than 25 per cent to just US$6.05 per kg.
Durian remained the largest fruit import category by volume and value. Import volumes weighed in at almost 1.7m tonnes, up 8.2 per cent year on year. Overall value fell slightly to US$6.4bn, down 1.6 per cent. Supply was evenly balanced between Thailand and Vietnam, but Thailand was the growth driver, with volumes increasing 18 per cent year on year to almost 950,000 tonnes.
Blueberry imports also surged in the 12-month period, driven by Peru as the main supplier. Total volumes increased by almost 80 per cent year on year to nearly 50,000 tonnes while overall import value rose by more than 60 per cent to US$430mn. Unit value dropped by almost 10 per cent to US$8.68 per kg.
Apple imports recorded notable growth, increasing by more than 15 per cent to top 115,000 tonnes. New Zealand fuelled the growth, with volumes continuing to recover from a cyclone-hit 2023 season to hit 82,000 tonnes (up 27 per cent). New Zealand accounted for more than 70 per cent of total apple imports, followed by South Africa (15 per cent), Chile (7 per cent) and the US (5 per cent).