The 2022-23 cherry season is coming to an end, and in that context our correspondents in China spoke with Kurt Huang, Customs Agent in China, who works directly with different Chilean fresh fruit export companies.
The company Huang represents is one of the main suppliers of fresh fruit import services in China, headquartered in Shanghai and with offices in Shenzhen, Canton and Guangxi.
“We manage about 40 thousand containers of fresh fruit each year and Chile is one of the most important origins and cherries are the most important item that we handle.", the customs man indicated at the beginning.
When asked for a general overview of the 2022-23 season, Kurt Huang highlighted several aspects that could have played against him in terms of logistics, but which ultimately did not happen. He also made a peculiar comparison of the current campaign with that of 2021-22.
“At first, the whole industry was quite worried, especially when Guangzhou was with its COVID outbreak. So it was very dangerous, because the Guangzhou market was not operating normally, although it was not closed, and also because most of the cargo was going to Shenzhen and Guangzhou ports, so it could have been a disaster, but very fortunately for the whole industry, for everyone, China lifted the COVID restrictions suddenly, for a number of reasons. It was a big relief.“Huang said.
The customs agent also added that: "Last season, handling cherries was like playing a video game on hard mode, and this season, we suddenly went back to normal mode. So I think that for everyone, for the importers, for the wholesalers, and also for our side, the service providers, the customs agents, we are all relieved.”.
How do you see the quality of the fruit arriving this year, thanks to the improvement in logistics?
“I think the quality or condition of the fruit this season is normal. It is normal, there is good fruit, there is more or less quality, and there are also some with problems, so it is normal. I would say that in any case there is plenty of room for the Chilean cherry industry to improve.”
In your opinion, is the cherry still not perfect?
“Different producers or different shipments arrive in different conditions. There can still be better quality, better returns.”.
How did you see the evolution of prices this year?
“This is a normal season. So for the Jumbo size you get 200 to 250,
which is reasonable, and also the price has been more stable. There are no extremely low prices this year for normal quality. Prices have been more stable and more predictable. It is almost a fair price this season.”.
What were the main varieties you saw this year and which ones do you think have good prospects for the future?
“As a consumer, I like “crisp” cherries, like Bing and Kordia, those varieties. I don’t like soft cherries. In the end, it’s the consumer who has the final say. You know, every year, the first week of January, or the last week, the first promotions appear in the retail channel. They force the supplier to give them a very low price, for example, ¥298 per 5 kilos in the past for a Jumbo, and now they are asking for Super Jumbo.”.
What have you heard about Santina?
“My feeling, and what I've talked to people in the market is that Santina has definitely become quite popular, so they really like it.”.
On the other hand, the customs agent had words for the end of the season and the one to come, stating that: “In the industry we say: 'All fruit can be sold, the problem is the price.' There is no need to worry about fruit being thrown away. Everything will be sold. However, not all fruit can fetch a good price, but on average it is fine.”.
Finally, Kurt Huang highlighted the good work being done for the development of the industry, highlighting that since there are no longer COVID measures, there will be no major inconveniences in the future, so good results are projected for the coming seasons.
“Since COVID is now gone, I don't think there will be any similar issues, and as a whole country we are making a lot of progress. We are implementing more express vessels and going to a wider variety of ports, and more direct ports to the mainland, and also different forms of transportation.", the customs officer concluded.
