Size is an issue for US apples and pears arriving on the Taiwanese market ahead of Chinese New Year, according to Steven Chu, in-market representative of the US Pear Bureau Northwest and Washington Apple Commission.
Large-sized Washington apples are in short supply this season, so premium fruits will be more expensive than previous years, he says.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese importers are struggling to find the small-sized USA pears that the market requires.
Demand for imported pears is also lower than last year due to greater supplies of cheaper, domestic fruits on the market thanks to favourable local weather, Chu adds.
Sluggish economic conditions are also contributing to weaker demand for imported fruits in the months before Chinese New Year.
However, Chu expects demand for imported fruits to rise as usual in the run-up to the New Year holiday.
A ban in mid-October on South African Fuji apples, following the detection of a live codling moth larva, could benefit Washington apple sales.
“South African apples usually take about 20 per cent of the market share where specific customers demand small-size apples; as a result, we expect Washington apples might take over these potential sales,” says Chu.
