China Strawberries Market Report
Report Highlights:
OAA/Beijing estimates that China’s fresh and frozen strawberry production will reach 2.1 million metric tons and 150,000 metric tons, respectively, reflecting increases of five and fifteen percent over last year. More than 95 percent of open-field production is used to process frozen strawberries. Chile is China’s largest frozen strawberry supplier, largely due to the timelines of exportable supplies and low import duties of nine percent, a benefit of the China-Chile free trade agreement.
Production:
Fresh Strawberries
OAA/Beijing estimates that China’s fresh strawberry production for marketing year (MY) 2012/13 (November-June) will reach 2.1 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of five percent from MY 2011/12, based on favorable weather conditions and a slight acreage expansion in Northern China.
China’s strawberry acreage consists of greenhouses (40 percent), plastic sheds (40 percent), and open field (20 percent). Japanese varieties, such as Toynoka, Benihoppe, Akihime, and Tochiotome) are the leading sources for fresh strawberries. Due to the high price of commercial seedlings at RMB 50,000-70,000 per hectare (US$7,900-11,000/ha), most farmers are self-cultivating their seedlings, resulting in lower yields and variety degeneration. Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning and Sichuan Province are the major production regions with fresh strawberries available from late November to June.
Frozen Strawberries
OAA/Beijing forecasts China’s frozen strawberry production for MY 2012/13 at 150,000 tons, an increase of 15 percent over the revised MY 2011/12 figure, largely based on higher domestic supplies.U.S. and European varieties (such as Senga Sengana, Honeoye, All Star, American 13, and Totem) are the main sources for frozen strawberries as their acidity and firmness are key attributes for processing.Shandong, Liaoning and Hebei are major frozen strawberry producing provinces in China. More than 95 percent of China’s fresh strawberries from open field production are processed.
Prices:
Fresh strawberries are very popular among consumers, especially in the winter, when few fresh fruits are available in Northern China. For instance, in December, prices for fresh strawberries in Beijing can reach RMB80/kg ($5.80/lbs), while prices of apple and citrus fruits are around RMB7-12/kg ($0.50-$0.85/lbs).
The current average price for frozen strawberries in Hebei, the center of frozen strawberry producers, is around RMB3.5/kg ($0.25/lbs), a decrease of 30 percent from MY 2011/12 due to larger domestic supplies compared to the previous year.
