[Updated] China Fruit Imports: New GACC Entry Permits and Performance by Category in 2022

To help stakeholders catch up with the updates of fruits that newly got the market access approvals from China’s Customs (GACC), ChemLinked summarizes and updates relevant information constantly in this article. The import performance of the corresponding fruit categories is analyzed as well (Source: China Customs Statistics).

Updated on October 12, 2022 (Click to read more)

Fresh Pear from South Africa

As revealed by the notice* released by GACC on Jan 19, 2022, pear (Pyrus communis) from the Republic of South Africa can now be exported to China as long as they satisfy relevant requirements. Detailed quarantine requirements can be found in the notice.

*Notes: Generally speaking, such GACC notices specify the legal basis for quarantine, permitted products, allowed place of origin, approved orchards and packaging facilities, list of pests that need to pay attention to, requirements before exportation, inspection and quarantine requirements during the importation, compliance review, etc.

Import performance of fresh pears

Chile and Belgium were the top 2 countries in terms of the sale of pears to China from Jan to Aug 2022, with import volume of 3.7 thousand tons and 3.3 thousand tons respectively. Pear imports from the two countries occupy 78.7% of the total import volume.

17 Kinds of Frozen Fruits from Chile

GACC approved the entry of frozen fruits from Chile on January 28, 2022. Detailed quarantine requirements can be found in the notice. Approved frozen fruits are:

Frozen raspberries (Rubus idaeus)
Frozen boysenberry (Rubus ursinus var. Longanobaccus)
Frozen cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Frozen apple (Malus domestica)
Frozen avocado (Persea americana)
Frozen cherry (Prunus avium)
Frozen cherimoya (Annona cherimola)
Frozen grape (Vitis vinifera)
Frozen kiwi (Actinidia chinensis/A. deliciosa)
Frozen peach (Prunus persica)
Frozen mango (Mangifera indica)
Frozen papaya (Carica papaya)
Frozen pineapple (Ananas comosus)
Frozen pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Frozen blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)
Frozen blackberry (Rubus ulmifo-lius)
Frozen strawberry (Fragaria ananassa)

Import performance of frozen fruits

The import of frozen fruits has been keeping an upward trajectory ever since 2017. From Jan to Aug 2022, Chile exported 5.2 thousand tons of frozen berries to China.

Notes: Due to the commodity classification by GACC, “08119090 unnamed frozen fruits and nuts” is counted in the above graphic in addition to other frozen fruit data, which may influence the data accuracy of frozen fruits.

Fresh Longan from Cambodia

Fresh longan (Dimocarpus longan) from Cambodia can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.41 in 2022.

Import performance of fresh longan

Thailand and Vietnam are the only two countries selling fresh longan to China. From Jan to Aug 2022, the import volume of fresh logan reached 196 thousand tons, 20% less than the same period of last year. Among the 196 thousand tons of fresh longan, over 99% are from Thailand.

Fresh Avocado from Kenya

GACC approves the market access of fresh avocado (Persea americana Mills.) from Kenya on June 2, 2022.

Import performance of fresh and dried avocado

Peru, Chile, and Mexico are the top 3 countries regarding the exportation of fresh & dried avocados to China. From Jan to Aug 2022, Kenya exported 46 tons of fresh and dried avocados to China, ranking the 6th position among all trading countries.

Banana from Myanmar

As per GACC Notice No. 49 in 2022, banana (Musa sapientum) from Myanmar is allowed to be exported to China.

Import performance of fresh and dried banana (excluding plantain)

The total banana imports are relatively stable after 2018. From Jan to August 2022, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Ecuador were the top four countries regarding banana exportation to China, whose total banana exported to China account for 95% of China’s banana import volume.

Fresh Durian from Vietnam

Fresh durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) from Vietnam can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.66 in 2022.

Import performance of fresh and dried durian

Durian is a popular fruit with the largest import value in China. As revealed by GACC, Thailand was the only player in the imported durian market before 2022. GACC's permission for Vietnamese durian will help Vietnamese enterprises take a share in this lucrative market.

Pitahaya from Ecuador

Pitahaya—Hylocereus magalanthus (K. Schmann ex Vaupel) Ralf Bauer and Hylocereus undatus Haw.—are allowed to be exported to China after meeting requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.67 in 2022.

Import performance of fresh pitahaya

Before 2022, Vietnam and Taiwan, China are two trading partners with the Chinese Mainland regarding the import of fresh pitahaya. Among the two, Vietnam holds the dominant position. From Jan to August 2022, over 99% of imported fresh pitahaya were from Vietnam.

Fresh Pomegranate from Egypt

GACC approves the market access of fresh pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) from Egypt on August 9, 2022.

Market for pomegranate

With no disclosed GACC data, some market data about pomegranate is provided in this part instead. As per a market intelligence report by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in India, China is prominently the largest market for the consumption of pomegranates over the year. Owing to the seasonality and mechanical capacities of the producing countries, China is also one of the largest producers.

Source: APEDA Report

Fresh Pineapple from Indonesia

As per GACC Notice No. 74 in 2022, fresh pineapple—Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. from Indonesia is allowed to be exported to China.

Import performance of fresh and dried pineapple

From Jan to Aug 2022, four countries exported fresh or dried pineapple to China, namely, the Philippines (with exportation of 138 thousand tons), Thailand (5.9 thousand tons), Malaysia (71 tons), and Panama (22 tons).

Italian Kiwi via Chartered Reefer Ships

Italian Kiwifruits are allowed to be exported to China via chartered reefer ships after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.85 in 2022.

Import performance of fresh kiwi

The import volume of fresh kiwi maintains a relatively stable performance. From Jan to Aug 2022, China imported 89 thousand tons of fresh kiwi, with a YOY growth rate of over 7%. Among four trading countries (New Zealand, Italy, Chile and Greece), New Zealand accounts for 92% of the total import volume.

Fresh Citrus Fruits from Zimbabwe and Iran

GACC approved the entry of Citrus sinensis, Citrus reticulata, Citrus paradisi, Citrus limon, Citrus aurantifolia, and Citrus aurantium from Zimbabwe on July 4, 2022. On September 1, 2022, Citrus sinensis, Citrus reticulata, and Citrus limetta from Iran gained market access approval.

Import performance of mandarin, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and other unnamed fresh or dried citrus fruits

Mandarins and grapefruits are with the most imports among all citrus fruits. However, the import volume of mandarins keeps a downward trajectory after 2017.

Updated on November 15, 2022 (Click to read more)

Updated on November 24, 2022 (Click to read more)

1. Fresh Cherry from Pakistan

As revealed by the GACC Notice No. 111 in 2022, fresh cherry (Prunus avium L.) from Pakistan can now be traded to China after meeting relevant requirements. Even during the pandemic period, the import of cherry maintains a robust performance. From Jan to Oct, 2022, Chile, the US and Canada were the top 3 countries regarding cherry exportation to China.

2. Fresh Avocado from Tanzania

Fresh avocado (Persea americana Mills, limited to hass avocado) from Tanzania can be sold to China after meeting requirements in GACC Notice No. 112 in 2022. The import volume of fresh or fried avocado is expected to be flat in 2022 than a year ago. From Jan to Oct, 2022, 92% of fresh and dried avocados were from Peru and Chile.

3. Fresh Banana from Indonesia

As per GACC Notice No. 118 in 2022, fresh banana (Musa spp.) from Indonesia is allowed to be exported to China. The quick market access approval can be attributed to the joint statement between China and Indonesia. Compared with the import data of the same period last year, it is expected the sales volume of fresh & dried bananas will remain flat in 2022 than last year and the sales value will remain a stable growth.