February 19 2008, 09:26

China: Honey-sweet pomelos are a bestseller in Germany

The Jining Sanlong Vegetable and Fruit Co., Ltd. is presenting its top export, the "Honey Pomelo". "It's larger, its skin is thinner, and with a Brix value of 14, it's much sweeter than the fruits from the Mediterranean region that are a back-cross with a grapefruit", explains company co-owner Mike Su when asked about the fruit's advantages. In Europe the honey-sweet grapefruit-like fruit is a hit among consumers. In 2007, the company exported 7,650 tonnes, twice as much as the previous year, with 30% alone going to the German market, says Su. The firm presented the fruit at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time in 2003. In the Chinese province of Shandong, south of Beijing, growers also cultivate garlic, chestnuts, pears and ginger for the company on approx. 1,000 ha. According to the co-owner, China is the world's largest producer of garlic. Growers sell most of their garlic crop to European buyers because "it is inexpensive, has an appealing appearance and excellent taste", says Su.