Recently, the first batch of air-freighted cherries from Chile has arrived at major ports across China, marking the beginning of the 2026-2027 new production season. These cherries are now being made available in Chinese supermarkets, and their wholesale prices have significantly decreased by approximately 42% compared to the same period last year. The news has captured considerable attention, trending on Baidu’s search list on November 12.
According to reports from various media outlets, including Dongguan Daily, the initial shipments of imported cherries from Chile have hit the shelves in supermarkets across Shenzhen. The price reduction for these air-freighted cherries is notably stark, with wholesale prices dropping by around 42%. Currently, retail prices are hovering around 29.9 yuan for 250 grams, a figure that many consumers find acceptable.
A supermarket manager in Shenzhen provided insights that the order volume for this batch of cherries has reached 1.5 times that of the previous year, with daily orders fluctuating between 400 to 500 units. For different quality grades of Chilean cherries, the prices vary notably: the “JJ” grade (indicating larger fruit size, where “J” is short for Jumbo) sells for about 70 yuan for 500 grams; the “JJJ” grade retails for approximately 120 yuan for the same weight; and the premium “JJJJ” grade is priced at around 160 yuan for 500 grams.
In wholesale markets, merchants noted that just last year, a box of cherries weighing 5 jin (approximately 2.5 kg) was priced between 600 to 700 yuan upon its market entry. However, this year’s cherries of the same caliber are launching at just above 400 yuan.
Mr. Ma, a vendor in the Zhejiang Wenhui Fruit Market, mentioned that while air-freighted cherries are relatively pricier, he expects sea-freighted cherries to arrive in about half a month at an even lower price.
Analysts cited by Baidu have pointed out that this year’s significant price drop for cherries is due in part to the efficient green channel services at ports. This system ensures that fresh fruits are harvested in Chile and delivered to consumers in China within 72 hours. Additionally, reduced waste, faster inventory turnover due to segmented customs supervision, and improved information sharing have collectively lowered costs associated with air transport.
The trend of declining prices is not limited to cherries; blueberries are also seeing a substantial decrease in price. Reports indicate that blueberry prices in Yunnan have experienced an approximate 50% decline compared to last year. Retail prices for medium-sized Yunnan blueberries are about 50 yuan for 500 grams, while larger sizes are around 80 yuan for the same weight, reflecting a further drop from previous years. One wholesaler in the Xijiao International Agricultural Products Trading Center in Shanghai revealed that a box containing 1.5 kilograms of large blueberries, priced at over 200 yuan last year, has now fallen to more than 100 yuan this year.
Online platforms are observing similar trends. A report from Jiemian News highlighted that blueberry prices on ecommerce sites such as JD.com and Taobao are generally on a downward trajectory. For instance, a pack of blueberries that cost 40 yuan for four boxes at the beginning of this year is now selling for just 19.8 yuan. A customer service representative from a Taobao shop specializing in Yunnan blueberries noted, “The current price reflects market trends, and it is indeed cheaper now than at the end of last month.”
In addition to the noticeable drop in retail prices, the prices at the wholesale level have been significantly reduced as well. National wholesale price monitoring conducted by the Food Commerce Network indicated that from September to October 2026, the average wholesale price for fresh blueberries in several Chinese wholesale markets has stabilized around 55 yuan per kilogram, with certain key production areas seeing even lower purchase prices.
An article from Guangming Net pointed out that years of sustained price declines are fundamentally transforming the consumer perception of what has typically been considered “noble fruits,” which generally include imported cherries, durian, and blueberries.
Overall, in October of this year, food prices in mainland China declined by 2.9%, with fresh fruit prices dropping by 3.8%. This downturn has negatively impacted the Consumer Price Index (CPI), lowering it by approximately 0.07 percentage points.
In commentary regarding these economic conditions, a financial analyst noted that the persistent pressure on the Chinese economy, coupled with sluggish income growth and insufficient consumer confidence, has resulted in a protracted period of low domestic demand.