Fortunes look mixed for the imported fruit trade across South East Asia in the run up to the Year of the Sheep, as economics and exchange rates affect demand.
The weak ringgit in Malaysia will make imports more expensive, says Koay Swee Aik of Chop Tong Guan. And the strong US dollar could limit sales of US fruits in Taiwan, says Eason Chi of Rings Fresh Corp, a subsidiary of Coverings International. However, the weak yen could help boost Japanese exports.
Lacklustre economic conditions and weak demand for imported fruit in Thailand following the recent political upheaval there means importers will take a cautious approach to imports in the run up to New Year, according to Wipavee Watcharakorn of Vachamon Food.
Demand for imported fruit has also been weak in Vietnam this year due to the nation’s turgid economy. But importer Pham Minh Nghia of NC Group is hopeful demand will pick up over Chinese New Year as new government policies relaxing rules against foreign investment kick-start economic growth.
In terms of best-selling fruit, Chilean and New Zealand seafreight cherries will likely miss the festival in Taiwan this year due to its late-February date. But Asian pears and Japanese apples are expected to sell well. In Malaysia, Chinese mandarins will be favourites. And in Thailand, Indian grapes, Chilean cherries, Chinese oranges and US apples will be hot items. Over in Vietnam, imported grapes, apples and oranges are expected to sell well, with some stonefruit in demand in the north part of the country.
