Zespri's New Zealand Kiwifruit in China. New Zealand kiwifruit, Spanish persimmons, Chilean cherries, and a growing array of premium overseas fruits are bringing vibrant flavors to Chinese consumers. With the expansion of China's international trade and economic cooperation, fresh fruits from overseas are stuffing the Chinese market, providing local consumers with more options. (Photo: Zespri)
"I'm thrilled to see more New Zealand kiwifruit at nearby supermarkets. They are a bit more expensive than locally grown varieties, but the cost is reasonable to me. I fell in love with them while studying in Australia—their sweet and tangy flavor is simply irresistible," Wang Chen, a 25-year-old woman from East China's Shandong Province, told the Global Times on Friday.
"Moreover, their nutritional value, taste, and appealing appearance have made them a popular choice among young people," Wang said.
New Zealand kiwifruit, Spanish persimmons, Chilean cherries, and a growing array of premium overseas fruits are bringing vibrant flavors to Chinese consumers.
With the expansion of China's international trade and economic cooperation, fresh fruits from overseas are stuffing the Chinese market, providing local consumers with more options.
Overseas exporters have expressed excitement about collaborating with Chinese enterprises to seize opportunities in the Chinese market. Additionally, efficient customs clearance procedures have provided robust support for China's fruit imports.
New Zealand's Zespri kiwifruit exports to China have seen a big boost, with sales up by 40 percent compared to the last year. The Chinese market has again secured its position as the world's largest, accounting for 25 percent of global kiwifruit sales, Michael Jiang, President of Zespri Greater China, told the Global Times on Friday.
Zespri expressed strong confidence in the growth potential of the Chinese market. "The market for imported fruits in China remains massive, with consumer demand for high-quality and nutritious fruits steadily increasing. Currently, Zespri kiwifruit enjoys a household penetration rate of approximately 20 percent in China," Jiang said.
Recently, topics like "cherry freedom" and "durian freedom" have frequently trended online, underscoring the growing demand for premium fruits. Rising imports have further met consumer expectations, enhancing their satisfaction.
From January to November 2024, the total value of fresh cherries imported from Chile exceeded $2.8 billion, representing a 26 percent year-on-year increase, the China Chamber of Commerce of Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products (CFNA) told the Global Times on Friday.
Between 2014 and 2023, the compound annual growth rate of the country's fruit imports reached 15 percent, CFNA said, adding durians, cherries, mangosteens, and kiwis have emerged as the main categories of mid- to high-end fruit imports.
Also, the proactive efforts China's importers and the foreign exporters in building the fruit industry supply chain are providing Chinese consumers with a safer and more diverse consumption environment.
Avocados Australia has formed a strategic alliance with Southwest China's Yunnan Province to enhance technical expertise and skills of Chinese avocado growers, the provincial government reported on its website on December 24, 2024. The partnership aims to deliver improved economic outcomes for avocado producers in both countries, promoting shared prosperity, the report said.
Moreover, Chinese importers are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure consumers enjoy access to the freshest fruits. Goodfarmer Fruit, a China-based fruit import giant, has heavily invested in their distribution networks to ensure efficient customer service.
"We prioritize the best consumer experience by strategically collaborating with high-quality suppliers from both domestic and international markets. This enables us to continuously introduce a wider range of premium fruit varieties to meet the diverse needs of domestic consumers," Cui Yaming, Brand Director of Goodfarmer Fruit, told the Global Times on Friday.
Mexican organic bananas, Philippine Black Diamond pineapples, and Thai frozen mini durians are the most popular fruits, Cui said. The company noted that its primary sources of imports are Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Thailand, along with New Zealand and Chile.
Over a period of 20 years, Zespri has built a strong, mutually beneficial ecosystem with its Chinese partners and remains committed to collaborating with the partners to grow the fruit market, Jiang said.
As domestic demand for high-quality imported fruits continues to rise, the range of fruits approved for entry into China has expanded.
China's fruit imports totaled $17.14 billion in the first 11 months last year, reflecting a 2.9 percent year-on-year increase, data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China showed.
To date, more than 60 varieties of fresh fruits from 64 countries and regions have received quarantine approval for import, CFNA reported.
