W9: Weekly Stone Fruit Update
Nectarine
Chile
Chilean Fresh Fruit Exports to Asia Grow by More Than 11% In the 2022/23 Season
As of this point in the development of the current 2022/23 fresh fruit export season, exports have reached 535,627MT, reflecting an increase of 11.06%, according to data from the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (ASOEX). China leads by far in volumes with a 91% share, South Korea and Taiwan which come in second place with a 3% share respectively, followed by Japan in fourth place with 4%. Cherry exports from Chile account for 71% of the entire fruit that has been shipped to Asia. Plums come in second with 13%, followed by nectarines with 7%.
Peach
Chile
In the Import Fruit Wholesale Market in Guangzhou, Peaches, Plums and Grapes Are the Main Categories
Peaches, plums, and grapes are the three main categories in the wholesale market for imported fruit in Guangzhou. Chilean imports of peaches and plums have increased. The Chilean plums from outside are already on the market and are primarily sold in plastic punnets. At this time, Candy Red, Red Phoenix, and Emerald Candy are the most popular varieties. The taste and supply will later on gradually improve because they are currently in the beginning stages of supply.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Exporters in 2017-2022 Supplied Fruits and Nuts to 18 New Markets
Fruit and nut exports from Uzbekistan increased in value by 1.5 times, from USD 417.2M in 2017 to USD 618.6M in 2022. Fresh grapes made up the highest portion of fruit and nut exports in 2022 (31.7%), followed by raisins (13.6%) and peaches (11.0%).
Plum
Chile
Low Demand for Chilean Plums in the Shanghai Market During W9
Due to the high arrival volume and low demand, Chilean plums are hard to sell in Shanghai's wholesale market in W9. On March 3, 2023, 48 containers arrived in the wholesale market in Shanghai for sale. In the XL and J sizes, the cost of the Dagen variant is roughly USD 20.22-23.11/9kg (RMB 140-160/9kg) and USD 27.44-28.89/9kg (RMB 190-200/9kg), respectively.
Dropped Prices of Chilean Plums in the Chinese Market on February 28, 2023
A large vessel carrying fruit from Chile arrived in China on February 28, 2023. Almost 700 containers of sugar plums were on board, so the wholesale market is overflowing with Chilean sugar plums in W9. Due to the enormous numbers that have entered the market, the selling prices for 9KG plastic boxes have decreased by about USD 4.34-7.24/9kg (RMB 30–50/9kg). The reference prices for February 28, 2023 are as follows:
- L size: USD 20.28-26.07/9kg (RMB 140–180/9kg)
- XL size: USD 26.07-31.86/9kg (RMB 180–220/9kg)
- J size: USD 31.86-36.21/9kg (RMB220-250/9kg)
- SJ size: USD 34.76-39.10, 23.17/9kg (RMB 240–270, 160/9kg)
Chile improved its own global record for shipments of fresh plums in 2022, which it had previously held since 2019. 158,000MT of fresh plums worth USD 235M were exported by Chilean fruit exporters to international markets in 2022. Exports increased in volume by a third over the course of the year and surpassed the previous record in 2019 by 3,000 MT. Chile thus achieved global dominance in the export of fresh plums.
Turkey
Earthquake in Turkey to Decrease Agriculture Production and Volumes Offered in the Market
The provinces affected by the earthquake in Turkey are the leading agricultural lands, with 9% of total vegetables and 17% of fruit produced from these provinces. For example, dried apricots, citrus fruits, plums, walnuts, vegetables, tobacco, honey, spices, and livestock are produced by these 11 provinces. After the earthquake, trade in these provinces stopped, and the products were left on the trees or in warehouses, decreasing supplies in the market. The earthquake damage will also affect 2024's product volumes and prices, with supplies expected to be low accompanied by a subsequent increase in prices.
The European Commission's adoption of rules (EU) 2022/1309 and 2023/158 on the lifting of restrictions on the export of planting material for apple trees, plums, and cherry plums from Ukraine to EU countries is the outcome of cooperative efforts. Only after the EFSA conducted a phytosanitary risk analysis involving quarantine pests of apple and plum was the export of planting material to EU countries, which was temporarily prohibited in accordance with the 2018/2019 Regulation from December 14, 2019, allowed to resume.
Apricot
Turkey
The Trade of Dried Apricots in Turkiye Has Come to a Standstill Due to the Earthquake
A massive earthquake struck southern Turkiye and northern Syria on February 6, causing widespread damage and killing thousands of people. The disaster has been labeled as one of the biggest natural disasters by the UN, while the Turkish president has called it the disaster of the century. In addition, the earthquake has also severely impacted the dried apricot trade in Turkiye, as Malatya, the main production center, was heavily damaged. Apricot traders cannot be reached, and shipments from Malatya are unlikely to resume for at least two to three months. The lack of labor could also cause problems for the upcoming campaign. Some market participants have decided to send donations to those affected by the disaster. Significant aftershocks are still occurring, and on February 27, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit, with the epicenter located in Malatya.
Cherry
Chile
On March 1, 2023, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that 12 shipments of Chilean cherries intercepted at the border contained illegal pesticide residues, totaling 188.765MT. This season, a total of 37 batches of cherries are non-compliant. Additionally, 22MT of kiwifruit from Italy were also found to contain unauthorized pesticides and were either returned or destroyed.
Ukraine
Ukraine Received Permission to Export Apple, Plum and Cherry Seedlings to EU Countries
Regarding the lifting of limitations on the export of planting material for apple, plum, and cherry trees from Ukraine to EU countries, the European Commission approved rules (EU) 2022/1309 and 2023/158. Entrepreneurs must now adhere to the phytosanitary requirements listed in the special appendix to the applicable rule in order to export goods. When the EFSA conducted a phytosanitary risk analysis involving quarantine pests of apple and plum, the export of planting material to EU countries, which was temporarily prohibited in accordance with the 2018/2019 Regulation from December 14, 2019, could resume.
