Business · Trade · 8 hrs ago
Chile’s First 2026–27 Cherries Reach China at Lower Prices
The first air-freighted Chilean cherries of the 2026–27 season have reached China through ports in Guangdong and Shenzhen.
China is Chile’s largest importer of the fruit, buying about 90% of Chile’s annual cherry exports.
Customs arrangements and faster cross-border transport mean some cherries can reach Chinese shops within 72 hours of being picked.
Early-season prices are lower than last year, with some wholesale boxes costing just over 400 yuan compared with 600 to 700 yuan last year.
Chile’s fruit exporters expect the country to produce 727,000 tonnes this season, with exports forecast to grow about 16% to 667,000 tonnes.
More cherries are expected to arrive from late November, increasing supply in China as the peak buying season approaches.
The first air-freighted Chilean cherries of the 2026–27 season have arrived in China and gone on sale.
Their prices are lower than those of the first arrivals last year.
About 2.5 tonnes of cherries passed through the Zhuhai highway port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, while about 4.5 tonnes flew directly to Shenzhen.
Some air-freighted cherries can reach Chinese markets within 72 hours of harvest, and some airport ports can do so within 48 hours.
Chile’s total cherry output for the season is forecast at 727,000 tonnes, with exports forecast at 667,000 tonnes.
- Who
- Chilean cherry exporters and Chinese importers, retailers and consumers.
- What
- The first air-freighted cherries of Chile’s 2026–27 season have reached China and are selling at lower prices than last year’s first arrivals.
- When
- The new season has begun; the first shipments arrived recently, ahead of further arrivals expected from late November.
- Where
- Shipments entered China through ports in Guangdong, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port in Zhuhai and Shenzhen airport.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China’s General Administration of Customs and Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture signed a supplementary memorandum on quarantine requirements for fresh fruit exports to China.
The first air-freighted Chilean cherries began clearing customs at ports in Guangdong.
The first air-freighted cherries went on sale in Shenzhen supermarkets at prices below those of the first arrivals last year.
Further early-variety Chilean cherries are expected to arrive in China.
- Zhuhai shipment
- About 2.5 tonnes of Chilean Black Diamond cherries
- Shenzhen shipment
- About 4.5 tonnes of cherries flown directly to Shenzhen
- Time from harvest to market
- Up to 72 hours for air-freighted cherries; some airport ports can do it in 48 hours
- Forecast output
- 727,000 tonnes for Chile’s 2026–27 cherry season
- Forecast exports
- 667,000 tonnes, about 16% higher year on year
- Prices in Shenzhen
- About 70 yuan per jin for JJ grade, 120 yuan for JJJ, and 160 yuan for JJJJ
1 source
What people are saying
At the moment, 29.9 yuan for half a jin is acceptable.
For fresh products, companies can submit electronic customs declaration data before the goods actually arrive at the port, completing document review and tax payment in advance.