2016 Q1-Q3 Trade Summary for China’s Fruit Exports and Imports

The China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce (CFNA) recently announced their summary of national food imports and exports from January to September 2016. Continuing the trend seen in the first half of this year, in the first nine months of 2016 fruit exports maintained their growth; the total export volume increased by 35% to reach 2.195 million tons, while the total export value increased by 24% to reach 3.23 billion USD. Meanwhile, the total import volume declined by 8% to 3.1 million tons and the total import value fell by 6% to 4.28 billion USD.

Southeast Asia remained the key market for China’s exported fruit. Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia still rank as the top three countries for China’s fruit exports by volume, with exports of 349,000, 320,000, and 155,000 tons, respectively. The corresponding export values for the three countries were 560 million USD, 590 million USD, and 280 million USD. Data show exports to these countries increased substantially compared with the same period last year.

As for varieties, apples, grapes, and citrus are still performing strongly for exported fruits. In the first nine months, the apple export value and volume rose to 0.99 billion USD and 871,000 tons, representing increases of 55% and 73%, respectively. Similarly, the grape export value and volume reached 0.49 billion USD and 179,000 tons, respectively, increases of 23% and 80%. Meanwhile, citrus exports declined to a value of 0.35 billion USD and a volume of 230,000 tons, corresponding to decreases of 3% and 15%, respectively.

In terms of imports to China, the value and volume of imported fruits from Thailand in the first nine months of 2016 totaled 1 billion USD and 505,000 tons, which represent decreases of 4% and 10%, respectively. Meanwhile, the value and volume of imported fruits from Chile reached 890 million USD and 265,000 tons, increases of 2% and 17%, respectively. Furthermore, the value and volume of imported fruits from Vietnam reached 470 million USD and 848,000 tons, decreases of 33% and 19%, respectively.

The major import varieties by value were durian (600 million USD), grapes (590 million USD), cherries (550 million USD), and bananas (470 million USD). Among these fruits, the import volume of durian totaled 256,000 tons, a reduction of 8% compared with the same period last year, although the import value increased by 14%.

It is also worth mentioning that, from January to September, China’s total imports and exports of fresh apples decreased by 22% and 29%, respectively, but the average price has risen by 9%. Moreover, in the first nine months, New Zealand’s exports surpassed those of the U.S. and Chile, placing this country in the #1 position with the highest volume and value of apple exports to China.