Recently, the price of cherries has dropped significantly, cheaper by 60 yuan per catty, which has attracted widespread attention. According to CCTV Finance and Economics, the large number of imported cherries on the market is one of the reasons for the price drop. In Beijing's Xinfadi wholesale market, on December 31, 2023, the average selling price of Chilean imported cherries was 60 yuan per catty, compared with the average price of 120 yuan per catty on November 10, 2023, the price has dropped by half, and the sales volume has also increased significantly.
Seasonality and price fluctuations
This price reduction phenomenon is not new, and every year at this time, the cherry market will usher in a round of price "big dive". There are a range of seasonal factors and market norms behind this. At the beginning of November, New Zealand cherries hit the market at relatively high prices. With the start of the mass market of Chilean cherries in December, the market ushered in a peak period of supply.
Difference between air freight and sea freight
Newly marketed cherries are usually shipped by air, which guarantees freshness but has a higher shipping cost. As the season progresses, imported cherries are generally moved to sea freight, which reduces freight costs, but correspondingly, the freshness of the fruit decreases. This is also a key factor in the price decline.
Smart shopping for consumers
Experienced consumers usually buy cherries through pre-sale when they first come on sale, and choose sea freight that arrives a month later to get a more affordable price. This way of shopping is equivalent to locking in the price in advance and avoiding the impact of market price fluctuations.
Market stability and normal volatility
While price fluctuations are a cause for concern, in the fruit industry, especially in the cherry market, seasonal factors and different modes of transportation are common causes of price fluctuations. It is also a self-adjusting mechanism of the market to meet the needs of different consumers.
Looking to the future
Although the current price has dropped significantly, according to the experience of previous years, the market price may still increase to a certain extent after the arrival of a large number of spot ships by sea. Therefore, consumers can grasp the fluctuation of cherry prices through a reasonable shopping time, and achieve more affordable fruit purchases.
The fluctuation of cherry prices is not only the norm in the market, but also an opportunity for consumers to shop smartly. Behind this, seasonal supply and consumer shopping strategies are driving the steady development of the fruit market.