Core Insights - The article discusses the significant decline in the prices of imported fruits in China, which were once considered luxury items, due to advancements in domestic fruit cultivation, improved supply chain efficiency, and a more rational consumer mindset [1] Supply Side - The primary reason for the decline in imported fruit prices is the dramatic changes on the supply side, with countries like Chile and the USA expanding cherry cultivation, leading to a projected 30% increase in cherry exports to China by 2025 [3] - The transportation time for cherries has been reduced to 26 hours, resulting in a surge in market supply, where distributors now need to actively promote sales [3] - In the blueberry sector, countries like Peru and Chile have utilized frozen fruit technology to provide year-round supply, while China's Yunnan province has increased its blueberry planting area to 249,000 acres, accounting for one-third of the national output, with a projected 30% increase in total production by 2024 [3] Demand Side - Consumer preferences for imported fruits are becoming more rational, with a rise in low-sugar health demands, as evidenced by a 23% increase in online blueberry sales in 2024, while high-sugar fruits like lychee and mango see slowed growth [3] - Over-packaging has faced backlash, with a specific brand's grapes criticized for high packaging costs, leading to a 50% price drop due to poor sales [3] Technological Empowerment - The quality improvement of domestic fruits is attributed to technological innovations, such as precision cultivation techniques in Yunnan's blueberry industry, which enhance fruit size and sweetness [4] - An agricultural company in Shandong has utilized AI technology for strawberry cultivation, increasing prices by 50% and achieving annual sales exceeding 30 million yuan [4] - A modern industrial park in Xinjiang has established a standardized supply chain, allowing domestic plums to reach retail outlets within 48 hours at half the price of imported plums [4] Scale of Cultivation - The shift from smallholder farming to large-scale cultivation has significantly reduced costs, exemplified by the expansion of sunshine rose grape cultivation from 100,000 acres in 2016 to 1.2 million acres in 2023, resulting in a price drop from the "hundred yuan range" to the "ten yuan range" [5] - The Yunnan blueberry industry has also seen a clustering effect, with foreign and domestic companies collaborating on standardized cultivation, leading to a return on investment period of just 8 months [5] Channel Innovation - The rise of fresh e-commerce and community group buying has compressed the premium space for imported fruits, with platforms like Pinduoduo and Hema attracting middle-class consumers through competitive pricing and fresh offerings [6] - A company is set to launch bulk shipments of Hainan durians in 2025, leveraging direct supply from Malaysian plantations to reduce intermediary costs [6] High-End Market Shift - In response to competition from domestic alternatives, imported fruits are pivoting towards high-end niche markets, with products like Thai durians and Japanese grapes targeting premium consumers [7] - Imported fruits are also innovating with new products, such as frozen avocado pulp from Peru and off-season stone fruits from South Africa, to fill market gaps [7] Brand Development Challenges - Despite the advantages in production and pricing, domestic fruits face challenges in brand development, with inconsistent quality leading to price drops for certain products [8] - Brands like "Jiawo Blueberry" and "Yantai Apple" have successfully established premium images through geographic certification and quality control [8] Supply Chain Integration - The competition between imported and domestic fruits has evolved into a contest of supply chain efficiency, with Cambodian durians achieving 48-hour delivery and Yunnan blueberries utilizing logistics to cover the entire country [9] - Future competition in the fruit industry will focus on cost reduction through technology, channel efficiency, and quality enhancement, with successful companies needing to build strong brand identities [9] Overcapacity and Quality Risks - The expansion of domestic fruit production carries risks of overcapacity, with growers expressing concerns about potential price drops below cost due to oversupply [10] - The 30% production drop of Guangdong lychees in 2024 due to cold weather highlights the vulnerabilities of single production areas [10] Deep Processing Opportunities - In a highly competitive fresh fruit market, deep processing is emerging as a new growth area, with increasing demand for products like dried fruits and fruit wines [11] - An enterprise focusing on durian deep processing has reported a 40% increase in annual profits [11] Global and Local Balance - The Chinese fruit market is increasingly integrated into the global trade system, with new varieties from South Africa and Colombia entering the market, while domestic fruits are also being exported to Southeast Asia [12] - Companies need to balance local demands with global resource integration, such as adapting blueberry varieties to Chinese tastes while promoting Hainan durians internationally [12]
高价进口水果“跌落凡尘”:国产平替崛起与市场格局重塑
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-08-24 02:22