2022 has been a sweeter year for Chinese canned orange exports, as growing global demand and shifting consumer trends bolsters the country's trade. Between January and September, Chinese canned orange shipments reached 48 countries and regions, rising to USD 296 million, 33% more than the previous year.
The leading destinations for Chinese canned oranges were the US, Japan, and Canada. The US remains China's largest market, accounting for 59% of the country's canned orange exports. Demand is also growing, following years of adverse weather conditions and diseases that have depleted Florida's orange crop. As a result, China exported USD 182 million worth of canned oranges to the US, a 45% YoY increase. The US orange production woes have severely affected Canada, their leading market, causing the North American nation to seek alternative suppliers such as China. On this account, between January and September, Chinese canned orange shipments to Canada increased to USD 12.16 million, rising by 58% compared to the previous year. Exports to Japan rose to USD 61.39 million, a 22% YoY increase, while shipments to Thailand fell from USD 11.04 million in 2021 to USD 9.16 million this year. The Southeast Asian nation continues to expand its domestic crop, aiming to reduce its dependence on Chinese imports, following intermittent closures of China's border checkpoints throughout the year.
China's canned orange exports mostly come from Zhejiang, Hubei, Anhui, Shandong, Hunan, and Jiangsu. Improved production figures have pushed Zhejiang's canned orange exports this year to USD 200 million, 23% more than the previous year. The province now accounts for 66% of the country's total export volume. This year, significant export gains were reported in Hubei and Anhui provinces. Hubei exported USD 36.42 million, a considerable improvement of 77% compared to the previous year, while Anhui exports increased by 20% YoY.
Export prices have been bullish throughout the year owing to higher shipping and production costs. During the first ten months of 2022, the average export price for Chinese canned oranges was USD 1352 per ton, a 17% increase compared to 2021. Shipments to Canada were the most expensive at USD 1489 per ton, a 19% YoY increase, while prices for consignments bound for the US, Japan, and Thailand rose by 9%, 21%, and 26%, respectively.
Orange demand continues to rise globally, as consumers become more health conscious and key producers such as the US have suffered production setbacks. This scenario bodes well for Chinese canned orange exports in 2023, with significant increases expected to North America, the country's largest market.