Yunnan Blueberries Hit Market Early This Year

According to local media reports, blueberries cultivated in Yunnan province have been available in Kunming’s fruit markets since November. At the Zhengchang fruit wholesale market, the majority of locally produced blueberries originate from the city of Chengjiang. Owing to limited supply, prices tend to be on the higher side.

According to fruit merchants, one of the most popular blueberry varieties on the market is Eureka. Wholesalers typically sell Eureka blueberries by the case, with each case containing 12 clamshells for a total weight of approximately 1.5 kilograms. Depending on the grade, prices for a case range from 135 to 560 Chinese yuan ($18.82–78.09). At another fruit market, no more than four stalls are selling blueberries, with prices ranging from 100 to 160 yuan ($13.94–22.31) per kilogram. Some fruit dealers have expressed concerns regarding the high prices and their possible effects on demand.

Local early-season blueberries typically hit the market around January or February, reaching their peak season in April and May. However, this year, because of reduced rainfall and hotter weather, local blueberries matured earlier than usual in November. Currently, both imported and locally produced blueberries are available on the market, in contrast to previous years where only imported blueberries were available at this time of year. Nevertheless, this year, given the inferior quality of imported blueberries and the early availability of local ones, the predominant offerings on the market originate from Yunnan.

With the rapid development of China’s blueberry industry, the cultivation area and production of blueberries have been increasing annually. Some high-quality blueberries bearing domestic brands, specifically tailored to the taste preferences of Chinese consumers, have commanded higher prices than certain imported counterparts. It is estimated that a substantial quantity of blueberries from provinces such as Yunnan, Guangdong and Jiangxi will flood the market in December, with the overall output expected to surpass that of previous years. On account of enhanced cultivation techniques and certain regions being able to yield two harvests each year, there is a high probability that China’s domestic blueberries will achieve a year-round supply in the future.

In Chengjiang, a key blueberry-producing region in central Yunnan, the total blueberry cultivation area has reached 800 hectares this year, with the total output valued at 680 million yuan ($94.8 million).

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.