Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
China increases strawberry production and processing
According to FAS analysts' estimates, China’s fresh strawberry production will reach 2.1 million tonnes in the MY 2012/13 (November-June), an increase of five percent from MY 2011/12, based on favorable weather conditions and a slight acreage expansion in Northern China.
Moreover, higher production of fresh strawberries will back further development of the strawberry processing sector in the country. It is estimated that China’s frozen strawberry production will increase by 15% year-on-year to 150,000 tonnes.
As regards exports, China's fresh strawberry exports are insignificant due to high shipping costs. In the season 2012/13, the exports will remain at the previous level of about 1,000 tonnes. Vietnam, Russia and Macau are the main consumers of fresh strawberries exported from China.
At the same time, the country’s frozen strawberry exports are forecast at 120,000 tonnes, a 5% increase from the previous season and at the level of annual exports over the past 4 years (110,000-120,000 tonnes). The European Union accounts for about a half of China's total exports of frozen strawberries. The share of the Netherlands in Chinese exports amounts to 17%.
If frozen strawberry exports in the volume terms have been relatively stable over the past few years, then the export values have been annually growing. For example, China’s average frozen strawberry export price in MY 2011/12 was $1,433 per ton, a 29 percent increase over MY 2010/11 and 73 percent increase over MY 2009/10. Rising production costs (including labor and fertilizer) and appreciation of the Chinese Yuan are major factors having an impact on export prices.
As regards the Ukrainian strawberry sector, we would remind you that more detailed information about its development and outlook will be presented at the 4th International Conference “Berries of Ukraine – 2013: Frozen Produce & Fresh Market”.
The conference will be held on May 16-17, 2013, Mykolaiv, Ukraine. To learn more about the event, please visit the web-site: http://www.fruit-inform.com/en/conferences/berry2013/about
Would you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact International Relations Department of Fruit-Inform:
tel: +380 562 320795 (ext. - 341)
cell: +380 96 5836323 (Ievgen Kuzin)
e-mail: [email protected]