The price of cherries has "plummeted," becoming 60 yuan cheaper per jin. Why is there a significant decrease in price? Will it continue to drop?

Cherry Market Trends in China

The typical supply and demand relationship affects market prices, and cherries are now entering the market in large quantities. Nansha Port in Guangzhou is gearing up to import a significant amount of cherries, with prices expected to decrease subsequently.

Initially, the expensive cherries were air-freighted, which involved smaller quantities and higher costs. Later, most are shipped directly to Nansha Port from Chile by cargo ship, taking 21 days to reach Guangzhou before being distributed to the market.

About 90% of Chilean cherries are exported to China, with roughly one-third entering through Nansha Port in Guangzhou. This port hosts the largest portside cold storage facility in the country, built in conjunction with Guangzhou Port - the Nansha International Cold Chain Project.

Nansha Port is currently the largest import port for cherries and durians in China.

Let’s look at a previous report, which is a significant reason for the price reduction of cherries:

On December 21, 2023, the first ship of the year, carrying 238 refrigerated containers of fresh Chilean cherries, docked at the Nansha Phase II Terminal of Guangzhou Port, quickly becoming a hot topic.

At the Nansha port in Guangzhou, over 4800 tons of Chilean cherries were successively unloaded. According to the head of a fresh supply chain enterprise, the imported cherries, mainly varieties like “Rabins” and “Santina,” will be sold locally in Guangzhou and also distributed via highways to several cities nationwide within 24 hours.

Customs estimates that by the 2024 Spring Festival, approximately 80,000 tons of cherries will be imported through the Nansha Port area.

As batches of cherries arrive at Nansha Port, the supply in the market will increase, greatly alleviating the scarcity. Consumer demand is expected to be progressively met, and prices are anticipated to continue falling. Those seeking better value for money may choose to wait longer.

Cherry Consumption and Market Trends in China

In recent years, every winter, cherries become the “star” fruit on residents' dining tables.

Data from the Beijing Xinfadi wholesale market shows that with the arrival of sea-freighted cherries, the price of cherries has steadily and rapidly declined. On December 31, 2023, the average selling price of imported Chilean cherries was 60 yuan per 500 grams. Compared to the average price of 120 yuan per 500 grams on November 10, 2023, the price has halved, and sales have significantly increased.

Currently, the global production of cherries is mainly concentrated in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia, with Chile exporting about 90% of its cherries to China.

⭕ Excessive Consumption of Cherries is Not Advisable

Cherries have a high content of anthocyanins, ranging between 3.5 to 4.5 mg/100g, which is 15 to 50 times more than strawberries (0.07 to 0.3 mg/100g). Excessive intake of anthocyanins can lead to black stools. Cherries contain anthocyanin, a type of polyphenolic compound with antioxidant properties that help prevent cardiovascular diseases, eliminate free radicals, delay aging, and have anti-inflammatory effects. The redder the cherry, the higher its anthocyanin content, which can appear red to black. However, this component cannot be absorbed and metabolized by the human body and is excreted directly.

⭕ How to Store Cherries?

Low temperatures can inhibit the respiration of cherries. Research indicates that the optimal storage temperature for cherries should be around -1 to 1°C. Temperatures below -1°C can cause cold damage or freezing damage to the cherries. Most studies suggest that the ideal storage temperature for cherries is between 0 and -1°C.

Therefore, it’s best to store purchased cherries in the refrigerator.

⭕ What Does the “J” in Cherry Advertising Mean?

When buying cherries, you often see sellers mentioning 2J, 3J, 4J, but what does this mean?

J (jumbo) is a common grading unit used in the Southern Hemisphere for cherries, typically in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. The more “J"s, the larger the cherry. Generally, a single J represents a diameter of 26-28mm, JJ is 28-30mm, and JJJ is 30-32mm, with a 1 yuan coin being 25mm.

Comparing various sizes, 2J and 3J cherries offer a good balance of price and quality.

⭕ Reasons Behind the Sharp Price Drop in Cherries

• The increase in supply is the main reason for the decline in cherry prices. Over time, with increasing production in various regions, cherry prices have shown a continuous downward trend.
• Advancements in freshness preservation technology have also contributed to lower fruit prices. High loss rates during transportation increase costs, leading to higher end prices. However, with improvements in freshness preservation and transportation, costs have decreased, naturally resulting in lower prices.
• Prices are expected to continue falling. According to public reports from previous years, in January 2021, the market price of cherries dropped to as low as 20 yuan per 500 grams; between 2022 and 2023, the lowest price of cherries remained between 20 to 30 yuan per 500 grams.

The “Chinese Dietary Guidelines” recommend that each person consumes 200-350g of fruit daily. Considering the actual edible part is without pits and peels, eating a little more is fine, but it should not exceed 500 grams.

Therefore, although cherries are delicious, they have a high potassium content. Eating too many can easily cause diarrhea, so don’t overindulge!

Only the people’s Is the world’s.

Understanding Cherries and Cherries

Prices may still drop, but they will rise again during the Chinese New Year, as everyone needs to stock up on goods for the year ahead.

In fact, some people can’t distinguish between cherries and cherries.

Both cherries and cherries belong to the Rosaceae family, but they are different varieties. They are not as commonly believed, with cherries being domestic and cherries being imported.

“Cherries” is actually a transliteration of the English name for cherries. The English word for cherries is “cherry,” and the plural form is “cherries,” so “cherries” is how it came about.

Cherries can be divided into three varieties: European sweet cherries, European sour cherries, and Chinese cherries. The ones commonly seen on the market are mostly Chinese cherries and European sweet cherries, and cherries mainly refer to European sweet cherries.

So, please don’t assume that cherries are not cherries just because they are bigger and darker in color; they are both the same fruit.

Cherry cherries have more carbohydrates than traditional Chinese cherries. At the same time, perhaps because cherry skins are thicker, they also contain slightly more dietary fiber, while other nutrients are not significantly different. Due to their high carbohydrate content, cherries also have higher energy levels.

The tiny white worms washed out of cherries are actually harmless to human health.

Many friends often complain that when washing cherries or Chinese cherries, white worms may unexpectedly appear. Does this mean they cannot be eaten? In fact, as long as you can overcome the psychological barrier, they can be eaten.

As a sweet-tasting fruit, not only do humans like it, but even animals will target it. One of the insects that often visit cherries is the fruit fly. Most of these insects are fruit fly larvae, which hide inside the cherry to absorb nutrients. Some cherries have already been targeted by fruit flies when they are still on the branches, and once the nutrients are extracted, the cherries will go bad.

How to Choose Cherries or Cherries?

• When selecting, consider factors such as color, size, ripeness, and freshness.
• Color: Generally, darker colors are sweeter, while lighter colors are sourer.
• Size: Larger fruits have better texture, while smaller fruits have relatively softer flesh.
• Ripeness: Ripe cherries and cherries have a good luster and a round shine; dull and wilted ones are either not ripe enough or overripe.
• Freshness: The stem is an important indicator of freshness. When cherries and cherries are just picked, the stems are green, but they start turning black after some time.

During the Chinese New Year, in addition to personal consumption, giving cherries as gifts is also a popular and impressive choice.

Cherry Price Fluctuations: Trends and Demand

Do you still remember a few days ago when a netizen posted that the newly launched gold cherries were over 300 yuan per kilogram, and a box cost over 500 yuan? Now, in less than a month, cherry prices have plummeted by 60 yuan. Why such a significant fluctuation? It’s not hard to understand. Firstly, it’s due to fruit trends. Many fruits have seasons, causing their prices to soar naturally for a period. Secondly, it’s market demand. After all, scarcity drives up value. However, it’s believed that cherries will become a fruit people can try anytime in their daily lives in the near future.

Fruit Trends

Apart from gold cherries, regular cherries are also relatively expensive this year. The main reasons for this are a substantial reduction in cherry production and the influence of logistical factors.

Market Demand

Although the price of gold cherries has startled many netizens, the demand in China’s high-end fruit market remains strong. In recent years, many people in China have started to follow trends, believing that higher prices equate to better quality. So, while many people may verbally express reluctance to purchase, they still want to taste and follow the trend. According to statistics, the fruit market has been growing year by year.

In fact, such situations are quite common. Not long ago, there was a craze for golden roasted sweet potatoes, and before that, it was Zibo-style grilled skewers and even Liuzhou snail noodles. Due to periods of food popularity, many people rush to praise and embrace these delicacies. If celebrity endorsements and social media check-ins are added to the mix, food prices tend to rise. Regarding cherry prices, I personally believe it depends on two factors: time, which may eventually lead to lower prices, and market supply. If more cherries are planted and supplied, cherry prices will certainly decrease.

Cherry Prices: A Seasonal Trend

Cherry prices dropping around this time each year are a regular occurrence, and the price trend is similar every year.

In November, New Zealand cherries hit the market, typically priced higher than those from Chile. In December, Chilean cherries start appearing, with the earliest arrivals being air-freighted for maximum freshness, albeit at a higher cost due to shipping expenses. About a month later, the shipments switch to sea freight, reducing transportation costs but resulting in slightly less fresh cherries and a subsequent price drop.

Each year when cherries first hit the market, it’s possible to pre-order sea-freighted cherries that will arrive a month later. For those buying in bulk (e.g., 5 kilograms), the price per kilogram is significantly lower than 60 yuan.

Based on past years' experience, prices tend to stabilize around this point. Once a large batch of sea-freighted cherries arrives in the market, spot prices may rise slightly compared to pre-sale prices.

Spot cherries have likely just arrived, and starting from January 10th, they will be available for immediate purchase.

$10 for 3 jin (approximately 1.5 kilograms) is the ultimate destination for fruits.

Fruits that cost tens of yuan per jin, I can’t help but feel that there is some marketing strategy behind it.

This year, lychees are already $10 for 3 jin, so what high-end technology is so amazing that makes you buy them at such a high price?

Is it impossible to cut anymore? The price of imported cherries is so high, not to mention how much it has fallen, and no one is buying. It’s starting to look pitiful.

In recent years, when has imported cherries not been priced between 60-80? Where did the 60 drop come from? If you can’t cut it anymore, then start marketing. Let’s talk when it’s priced the same as domestic cherries. Judging by the situation, it won’t be long before you can’t cut it anymore.

On the 4th, I placed an order for one box of J pre-sale, 5 kilograms for ¥218, which was the cheapest price on this platform in quite some time and the only lowest offer of the day. I canceled it yesterday, and today you can already see prices as low as ¥198 at several places. At this rate, with the addition of Chinese New Year factors in the third decade of the month, there may still be room for further decreases. However, I don’t think the prices for individual sales at large supermarkets this year will drop to the level of less than ¥30 per kilogram, as it happened in a certain year. But for non-J products, it’s hard to say; perhaps the price drop will exceed previous years.

Every year there is a big dive.

It seems that the purchasing power has declined this year.

This thing is not even worthy of carrying shoes for those little cherries.

Each pound is 60 yuan cheaper, but it’s still 60 yuan per pound, which is still expensive fruit.

Wait a bit, in less than a month, it will be 15-20 yuan per pound. I’m talking about Guangdong, other places may vary.

The original price was unreasonable, and if transported by air, it wouldn’t be cost-effective. Now, with shipping to the port, the price has naturally decreased.

Since the spring of 2023, I have noticed the following trends on the trending topics:

Lobster prices plummeting Hairy crab prices plummeting Qingwang grapes prices plummeting Cherry prices taking a big dive

Is it possible that this is due to the economic downturn, a decrease in everyone’s income, leading to a decline in demand for everything other than essential goods, and causing these expensive items from previous years to have to lower their prices?

The products themselves are not that expensive; it’s the importers and middlemen who make too much profit. I’ve bought them in Australia, Europe, and Hong Kong. A few years ago, during the peak season, the prices were generally around 18-22 RMB per kilogram for the first two, and at the beginning of 2020, a large box in Hong Kong was around 50 Hong Kong dollars.

With this money, isn’t lamb delicious? Isn’t beef delicious? Originally, it was about fruit, and there are so many fruits that cost just a few dollars or a dozen dollars everywhere; the hype is meaningless.

Fluctuations in Cherry Prices Due to Shipping and Market Dynamics

I only found out due to work that the fruit market in Jiaxing is the largest in East China. In the past few years, I often brought one or two boxes of cherries back to Hangzhou from the market. This year, after cherries were shipped to the port, the prices did indeed become much cheaper.

Over a month ago, cherries that were selling for over a hundred yuan per kilogram have now seen a price drop of about 30%. On January 4th, a 5kg pack of Santina cherries was priced at around 280-320 yuan for single J, and 340-380 yuan for double J. In comparison to December 25th, the price for a 5kg pack of Santina cherries was around 500-540 yuan for single J and 550-600 yuan for double J, indicating a significant price decrease.

Before New Year’s Day, the domestic cherry consumption market continued to grow, and sea-shipped cherries were selling fast, with prices remaining relatively high. However, after New Year’s Day, cherry prices began to drop significantly, and sales slowed down. On January 4th, the prices of sea-shipped cherries in Jiaxing Haiguangxing Market dropped by about 50-80 yuan compared to the previous day. On January 4th, a cherry ship carrying 254 containers will arrive in Shanghai, and on January 5th, there will be two ships with a total of over 1,000 containers arriving in the port. A surge in cherry supply is expected, and prices are likely to continue declining, although overall quality remains to be seen.

Recently, the main variety in the domestic market is still SANTINA. Many small stalls are reluctant to stock cherries due to the scarcity of good quality cherries, resulting in a significant price drop. There is currently limited large-sized cherry stock in the channels, and secondary distributors and offline physical stores are making fewer purchases, adopting a wait-and-see attitude, as they await the arrival of new shipments.

Cherry shipments in January are concentrated, and distributors face considerable sales pressure. Most Chilean cherries this year will arrive in the Chinese market before the Spring Festival, which means the cherry sales season for this production cycle will be relatively long, and prices are not expected to fluctuate greatly.

60 is still considered a big high dive. Perhaps they’ve jumped, but even if they did, they couldn’t afford it.