To help stakeholders catch up with the updates of the 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).
Recommended reading:
l China Fruit Imports: New GACC Entry Permits and Performance by Category in 2022
Jan 9: Fresh Durian from the Philippines
Fresh durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) from the Philippines can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.1 in 2023.
Durian is with the largest import value among all fruits in China. As revealed by GACC, the imported durian market maintains a relatively stable performance in past years. Regarding the performance of trading partners, Thailand was once the only player in the imported fresh durian market until China approved the import permit for Vietnam in the middle of 2022. From Jan to Nov 2022, Thailand and Vietnam exported 734.5 tons and 32.5 tons of durian to China respectively. Durian imports from Vietnam occupy 4% of the total import volume. As for the future, the Philippines will be a strong competitor for these two countries due to its large durian cultivation area and popular durian varieties like Puyat.
Feb 22: Fresh Apple from Iran
China granted the import permit of fresh apples from Iran in February 2023. Details can be found in GACC Notice No. 18 in 2023. Fresh apple is the second fruit category that Iran is allowed to export to China after citrus.
China is a major producer of apples. Compared to popular fruits like durian, banana and cherry, the import scale of fresh apples is reletively small. For example, the import value of cherry reached USD 2.77 billon in 2022, while it's USD 215.7 mn for fresh apple. The unit price of fresh apple is rising year by year. As revealed by GACC data, in 2022, the largest trading partners with China regarding apple imports were New Zealand (USD 150 mn, accounting for 70% of total import value), South Africa (USD 22 mn, 10%), the US (USD 21 mn, 9.5%), Chile (USD 18 mn, 8%) and France (USD 4.8 mn, 2%).
April 12: Fresh Persimmon from Spain
Fresh persimmon (Diospyros kaki) from Spain can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.33 in 2023. Spain is the world's largest exporter of persimmons, with an annual export volume of approximately 210,000 tons, accounting for about one-third of the global persimmon trade.
April 12: Fresh Jackfruit from Malaysia
As revealed by the GACC Notice No. 34 in 2023, Malaysia has become the third country, following Thailand and Vietnam, to be granted permission to export fresh jackfruit to China.
April 14: Fresh Kiwi Berry from France
Kiwi berry is specially mentioned in the Joint Declaration Between China and France, released during French president’s visit to China. At present, France is the first country with the permit to export such a fruit to China. Detailed quarantine requirements can be found in GACC Notice No. 35 in 2023.
May 30: Fresh Table Grape from Tajikistan, Kirghizia and Uzbekistan
China newly granted the import permit of fresh table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) from Tajikistan, Kirghizia and Uzbekistan. Details can be found at GACC Notice No.55 in 2023, GACC Notice No.56 in 2023 and GACC Notice No.57 in 2023, respectively.
The Chinese import grape market had been steadily growing until 2021, when it experienced a decline of 22% compared to the previous year. The decrease in imports can be attributed to various reasons, with one being the delays in customs clearance for a large quantity of Australian grapes at the ports. Meanwhile, the export volume of
Chilean grapes to the Chinese market also declined due to a temporary reduction in Chilean grape production volume, exporters' concern about shipping times, logistical troubles, high shipping costs, and their increasing exportation to the US market. However, with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in China by the end of 2022, uncertainties in logistics and high shipping costs are expected to ease. At present, grape imports in the first four months of 2023 are on par with the previous year's volume. Chile, Australia, and Peru remain the primary sources of fresh grape imports for China.
May 30: Fresh Citrus from Zimbabwe
Fresh citrus from Zimbabwe can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.58 in 2023.
In 2020, China's demand for citrus reached over 48 million tons, marking a 6.23% year-on-year increase. The entry of Zimbabwean citrus into the Chinese market represents a significant milestone towards the implementation of the "Nine Major Projects" of China-Africa cooperation. Yuan Xiaohui, the Deputy Director of the Institute of West Asian and African Studies at the Ministry of Commerce, has stated that the entry of more African agricultural products, particularly high-quality and distinctive products, into the Chinese market is a positive step taken by China to fulfill its commitment at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
June 13: Fresh Banana from Honduras
Fresh bananas (Musa sapientum) from Honduras can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.68 in 2023.
Ø Import performance of fresh and dried banana (excluding plantain)
The total banana imports are relatively stable from 2019. From Jan to May 2023, the import value of banana decreased by 12% than the same period last year, with the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia the top three countries regarding banana exportation to China.
June 30: Fresh Blueberry from Poland
China granted the import permit of fresh blueberry (Vaccinium L.) from Poland in June 2023. Details can be found in GACC Notice No. 77 in 2023.
According to USDA's Blueberry Annual Voluntary 2023, China is the top producer and also the world’s leading importer of blueberry. In 2021, China imported 29,597 tons of blueberries, mainly from Peru and Chile. Blueberry is not a traditionally consumed food to Chinese people. But now consumers tend to consume blueberries as a healthy solution for their body (CL note: especially out of the purpose to protect eyes). Although many will consumed the blueberry in mixed dried nut products, most consumers still prefer fresh blueberry.
July 4: Fresh Kiwi Fruits from New Zealand
China issued the quarantine requirements for fresh kiwi fruits (including Actinidia chinensis, Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidia deliciosa x A. chinensis) from New Zealand. Details can be read at GACC Notice No.79 in 2023.
July 4: Fresh Pear from Italy
China granted the import permit of fresh pears from Italy in July 2023. Details can be found in GACC Notice No. 80 in 2023.
August 29: Fresh Avocado from South Africa
On August 29, 2023, fresh avocado (Persea americana Mills.) from South Africa can enter China’s market after meeting the inspection and quarantine requirements specified in GACC Notice No. 107 in 2023.
From Jan to July 2023, Peru, Kenya and Chile are the top 3 countries regarding the exportation of fresh & dried avocados to China. Kenya got the market access of fresh avocado on June 2, 2022.
September 6: Fresh Pineapple from Benin
As per GACC Notice No. 114 in 2023, fresh pineapple (Ananas comosus) from Benin is allowed to be exported to China after meeting the inspection and quarantine requirements.
From Jan to Aug 2023, four countries exported fresh or dried pineapple to China, namely, the Philippines (with exportation of 150 thousand tons), Thailand (5.3 thousand tons), Indonesia (2.6 thousand tons), and Malaysia (46 tons).
September 19: Fresh Avocado from Venezuela
On September 19, 2023, fresh avocado (Persea americana Mills.) from Venezuela can enter China’s market after meeting the inspection and quarantine requirements specified in GACC Notice No. 118 in 2023.
From Jan to Aug 2023, Peru, Kenya, Chile, Mexico and the Philippines are the top 5 countries regarding the exportation of fresh & dried avocados to China. Kenya got the market access of fresh avocado on June 2, 2022.
September 19: Fresh Coconut from Cambodia
Fresh coconut (Cocos nucifera) from Cambodia can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No. 119 in 2023.
From Jan to Aug 2023, Thailand (418 thousand tons), Indonesia (206 thousand tons) and Vietnam (176 thousand tons) are the top 3 countries regarding the exportation of fresh coconut to China. Read more about coconut water market in China: Price of Coconut Water Raw Material Has Skyrocketed.
HS code under calculation: 08011200 Coconuts in the inner shell (endocarp)
September 19: Fresh Blueberry from Zambia
As revealed by the GACC Notice No. 120 in 2023, Zambia is granted permission to export fresh blueberry to China. As per a USDA report, Peru and Chile are the two major players exporting blueberry to China.
September 25: Fresh Mango from Egypt
Fresh mango (Mangifera indica) from Egypt can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No. 122 in 2023.
From Jan to Aug 2023, Thailand (3.7 thousand tons), Vietnam (3.1 thousand tons) and Myanmar (2 thousand tons) are the top 3 countries regarding the exportation of fresh and dried mango to China.
October 23: Fresh Passion Fruit from Thailand
Fresh passion fruit (Passiflora caerulea and Passiflora edulis) from Thailand can enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No.137 in 2023. Vietnam is a key trading partner with China regarding passion fruit.
October 23: Fresh Stone Fruits from Chile
GACC approved the entry of fresh stone fruits from Chile, including Prunus persica var. Nectarina, Prunus persica, Prunus armeniaca and Prunus domestica/Prunus salicina. Detailed quarantine requirements can be found in the notice.
Chile (34.5 thousand tons) and Australia (5.4 thousand tons) are the top 2 countries selling the most fresh peach, including nectarine to China.
November 1: Fresh Mango from Laos
As revealed by the notice released by GACC on November 1, 2023, fresh mango (Mangifera indica L.) from Laos can now be exported to China as long as they satisfy relevant requirements. Detailed quarantine requirements can be found in the notice.
From Jan to Sept 2023, Thailand (3.7 thousand tons), Vietnam (3.1 thousand tons) and Myanmar (2 thousand tons) are the top 3 countries regarding the exportation of fresh and dried mango to China.
November 1: Fresh Apple from Serbia
Fresh apple (Malus domestica) from Serbia can now enter China's market after meeting the requirements detailed in GACC Notice No. 147 in 2023.
From Jan to Sept 2023, the top 3 exporting countries of apples to China are New Zealand (44.4 thousand tons), South Africa (19 thousand tons), and Chile (8 thousand tons).
November 29: Fresh Citrus from Uruguay
China granted the import permit of fresh citrus fruits from Uruguay in November 2023. Permitted citrus include orange (Citrus sinensis), Mandarin and their hybrids (Citrus reticulata), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) and lemon (Citrus limon). Details can be found in GACC Notice No. 173 in 2023.
From Jan to Nov 2023, South Africa (35 tonnes), Thailand (18 tonnes), and Laos (17 tonnes) traded the most grapefruit and pomelos to China.
December 1: Fresh Stone Fruits from Kazakhstan
Fresh prunus persica and prunus armeniaca can be sold from Kazakhstan to China after satisfying the requirements stipulated in GACC Notice No. 174 in 2023.
From Jan to Nov 2023, Chile sold the most fresh peach including nectarine to China, with import value of 73 mn USD.
December 15: Fresh Watermelon from Vietnam
Vietnam can export fresh watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) to China after following GACC Notice No. 184 in 2023.
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