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On October 13, 2024, the first Chilean cherries arrived, causing a sensation in the Shanghai market. Check out all the details here…
It is known that Chile is characterized by being an exporting country of various products such as minerals, fruits and fish to different places in the world.
In this context, one of the country’s star products has caused an unbridled furor in China in recent days.
Cherries produced in Monte Patria, Ovalle IV Region of Coquimbo, Chile
Produced by RIO KING
On October 13, the first Chilean cherries arrived in China, and were sold on October 14, marking the start of the season. “The fruit arrived in China at 1:00 p.m. and was sold out in 30 minutes,” said Portalfruticola.com Agustín Cornejo, general manager of QC FRUIT, the company that witnessed the arrival of the fruit to the Asian market.
He added that the fruit was harvested between October 9 and 11 and was transported by air with a transit time of two days to the Shanghai airport. The fruit was then inspected by Customs and transferred to Huizhan Market to be sold.
Cornejo said that the first shipment included 80 boxes of the Cherry Crunch variety, belonging to the Bloom Fresh group. “The fruit comes from Ovalle and was exported by RioKing and imported by Riverking,” he added.
In 2024, Peruvian production is still suffering the consequences of last year’s poor conditions, with yields per hectare reduced by up to 20%. Added to this is the departure of many producers of this crop, after the difficult years that the product has suffered since 2018. Thus, so far this year, shipments totaled 20,648 tons worth US$ 81 million, which meant a drop of -22% in volume and -5% in value. The price was able to sustain the sharp reduction in volume by trading on average at US$ 3.92 per kilogram, 22% higher than the previous year.
In addition, it was explained that the 2.5-kilogram box of J-size, light-colored fruit, was sold for 650 yuan, equivalent to 91.8 dollars. The same 2.5-kilogram box of J-size, dark-colored fruit, was sold for 700 yuan, that is, 50 yuan more expensive than the lighter fruit of the same size, which corresponds to 98.9 dollars.
The remaining 5-kilogram boxes of XL-size, light-colored fruit were sold for 900 yuan, which corresponds to 127.1 dollars. The other 5-kilogram boxes of XL-size, dark-colored fruit were sold for 1,000 yuan, which means 100 yuan more than the lighter fruit of the same size, which corresponds to 141.2 dollars.
The remaining boxes, which were two 5-kilogram L-sized boxes, were sold for 700 yuan, or 98.9 dollars.
Dinámic
According to Agustín Cornejo, it is a privilege to be the first exporter to reach the Chinese market with cherries, “because the fruit will always be well received and all eyes are on the first fruit.”
Asked about the challenges of the sector, he explained that “the challenge for the season, what is coming forward, given the projection that there is with a great increase in volume, is that there are challenges in production to get large sizes, from super Jumbo upwards.”
He added that in the operational aspect, the challenge will be to process all the fruits, especially in the peak weeks, which are between 49 and 52.
He concluded by saying that for the Chinese, giving away cherries and the best ones symbolizes a socioeconomically well-positioned person, “especially if they buy the first cherries that are arriving to the market, since it is a luxury for any Chinese to be able to eat those cherries.”
Price summary:
2.5 kg boxes J size: 650 RMB (91.8 USD)
2.5 kg boxes JD size: 700 RMB (98.9 USD)
5 kg boxes XL size: 900 RMB (127.1 USD)
5 kg boxes XLD size: 1,000 RMB (141.2 USD)
5 kg boxes L size: 700 RMB (98.9 USD)
Source: Portal Fruticola
