GWM China Fruit Import Update: Grapes, week 51 2015

Week 51 was an import week for Golden Wing Mau as a company with announcement of the merger with Joyvio. The office has been filled with a buzz ever since the news broke.

Imports have been slow to start from the southern hemisphere, with cherry and blueberry air-freight decreasing in volume resulting in a sharp rise in price. While Peruvian Red Globe to date has been in low supply. Northern hemisphere grapes remain available however buyers are more interested in increasing navel arrivals. Christmas demand of various gift related products will continue to build.

Shanghai market received primarily Peruvian grapes in week 51, while Guangzhou received a split between Peruvian Red Globe and a mix of Red Globe, Autumn Royal and Autumn King from the U.S.A. Limited arrivals from South Africa were opened in Guangzhou market. U.S.A Autumn Royal has become less and less available, with the price range remaining huge. At the top of the range high quality produce showing large dark berries, coupled with good stems asked as high as ¥340 (9kg) while arrivals with severe dry stems coupled with quality issues asked as low as ¥160 (9kg). The limited arrivals on the market had to navigate their way within this price range. U.S.A Red Globe prices deteriorated further in week 51 with even the top quality brands reducing in price. How much of this adjustment is a result of the increasing Peruvian supply is difficult to gauge. U.S.A Red Globe packed in popular brands showing their notorious bright pink berries asked and found sales at between ¥220-235 (9kg), with some in the market noting slight softness.

Roughly 2-3 Peruvian Red Globe containers arrived daily in Shanghai while 3-4 arrived in Guangzhou. The marked did not see a notable shift with most arrivals continuing to show a dark colouration finding rather slow sales at between ¥130-140 (XL, 8.2kg). Red Globe showing a lighter colouration and better stems mostly asked for between ¥145-155 (XL, 8.2kg) with movement mixed. Limited Red Globe from Peru showing larger sizing and good colour coupled with decent stems asked between ¥170-190 (J/JJ, 8.2kg) with movement not as fast as the first containers of the same brand earlier in week 51. These arrivals were in Guangzhou market.

By the end of week 51 an arrival of South African Prime showing good quality with prominent green stems and firm berries was able to find good movement at a price of ¥145-155 (XL, 4.5kg). This arrival was also however supported by the lack of competition on the market.

Exports have begun to climb with the possibly of the slow start from Peru being reduced significantly in the coming weeks, particularly as production in the north could continue till the first weeks of January. Volumes are down by 14% compared to last season, while they are still up by 94% compared to 2013-2014 season. To date volumes sent are at 1.6million cartons.

Image source: Pixabay