Chinese fruit imports increase tenfold in 5 years

Photo: Eurofresh Distribution

Fresh produce imports to China have increased tenfold over the last five years. Demand for a larger range of products and interest in new and exotic food and healthy lifestyles have all contributed to the spiralling fruit and vegetable imports. According to Rabobank research, the market for imported fresh products increased from US$2.8 billion in 2009 to more than $13 billion in 2019.

In 2020 year, China imported vegetables valued at $1.96 billion (vs. $1.84 billion in 2016). The largest sources were Canada $762.2 million ($322.5 million in 2016); Thailand $635.9 million ($1.1 billion in 2016) and Vietnam $147.5 million ($237.5 million in 2016). The figures for fresh fruit imports, however, were far more impressive, more than doubling in five years to $12 billion ($5.86 in 2016). Major suppliers were Thailand with imports worth $4 billion ($1.1 in 2016); Chile $2.16 billion ($1.2 billion in 2016); Vietnam $997.9 million ($637 million in 2016); the US $727.7 million ($576 million in 2016); and Australia $572 million ($225.9 million in 2016). The most popular imported fruit is fresh durian, with imports worth $2.3 billion ($693.5 million in 2016), followed by cherries, worth $1.6 billion ($794 million).