Philippine produce dominates banana import market in China
The banana market is an important market in China, where the annual production volume of bananas is…The banana market is an important market in China, where the annual production volume of bananas is huge. Imported bananas further add to the trade volume. Despite large supply volumes, trade in the banana market is smooth. Consumers continue to increase their demand for bananas, because they are an easy snack fruit rich in nutrients and vitamins.
One banana importer shared his views on the current market conditions. He said: "The most important banana brands in the Chinese market are Dole, Goodfarmer, Unifruiti, Sophia, and Delta, as well as a number of domestic brands. The competition between traders of different brands is fierce and grows more intense every day. Most imported bananas come from the Philippines, which dominates the market. Second in line is Ecuador, followed by Thailand. The Chinese banana industry has not yet developed large-scale, commercial brands."
Mr. Hu, another banana trader, discussed this production season: "We currently purchase from banana production areas in China, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as the Philippines, and we sell them on the Chinese market. This year, the banana production volume in Yunnan increased because farmers there expanded the overall surface area devoted to banana plantation. The trade volume of Chinese bananas is currently larger than the trade volume of bananas from the Philippines, which is probably because Chinese bananas are cheaper."