Latest figures from Japan reveal that banana sales continue to buck the trend of stagnating fruit consumption there.
Banana imports are heading for the second successive record year, as budget-conscious households seek out the fruit for its low price and nutritional value. The so-called ‘Morning Banana Diet’ craze, which swept Japan last year, also continues to drive demand.
Imports in the five months to May hit 540,000 tonnes, up 34 per cent from the year-earlier period, according to Japan’s Finance Ministry, and look on course to exceed last year’s record 1.09m tonnes.
“Bananas are affordable and we think import demand will grow,” Hiromi Ohtaki of Dole Food Co told Bloomberg. “Booms usually only continue for two or three months, but this time it’s protracted and unexpected.”
While household spending on bananas rose by 25 per cent to ¥4,940 in 2008, spending on mandarins and apples fell by 4.6 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively.
Indeed, general fruit consumption over recent months has been slower than previous years, according to Goldspan’s Aki Yamada, with prices coming under pressure.
“Consumption of fruit for gift-giving has been particularly slow due to the depressed economic situation,” he told Fruitnet.com.
In the citrus market, South African grapefruit sales have been disrupted by an irregular shipping schedule. With a three- to four-week gap in vessel arrivals during June/July, sales opportunities were lost, according to Mr Yamada. A high percentage of small sizes have also impacted on grapefruit consumption.
On the orange deal, wholesale prices have been lower than previous years despite “reasonable” stock levels, he said.
Nevertheless, Australian orange exporters told Newsline that they have been stepping up shipments to Japan ahead of the Obon festival, with a lack of the required fruit sizes being the only real constraint to growth.
