This season's supply has tripled compared to previous years, creating an oversupply that has driven prices down.
by Wu Bingcong
In recent weeks, Xiaohongshu has been buzzing with cherry mania as savvy shoppers swap tips and tricks to score the juiciest deals. It all started with Hema’s irresistible single-J cherries priced at 99 yuan per box. Not to be outdone, Aldi turned heads by slashing prices to around 80 yuan with coupons, fueling a wave of online coupon-sharing and bargain hunting.
Once considered a "luxury fruit" fetching up to 100 yuan per catty, cherries have sparked excitement across social media, even making Weibo’s hot search list with the question: "Why are cherries suddenly so cheap this year?" Let’s dive into this fruity phenomenon.
The decline in cherry prices is evident across specifications. Single-J cherries now sell for as little as 12 to 16 yuan per catty, while prices for 2J and 3J cherries have dropped by over 24% compared to their initial market rates. The J-system indicates cherry size, with higher numbers denoting larger diameters.
Offline supermarkets have further contributed to the affordability by offering 2.5kg boxes of cherries at prices typically under 200 yuan. Aldi offers 2.5kg boxes of 2J cherries at 179 yuan each, with promotions further lowering the price. Similarly, Wumart offers 2.5kg boxes of 2J cherries at 179 yuan, and Hema’s 3J Chilean cherries are priced at 199 yuan per box.
Beijing Xinfadi Wholesale Market’s December 31, 2024, data reveals a price range for Chilean cherries from 18 to 45 yuan per catty, depending on size and quality. The primary driver for these reductions is a significant increase in supply.
Chilean cherries dominate China’s imported cherry market, comprising nearly 90% of total imports. Their peak production lasts 6-8 weeks, with small volumes arriving by air in November and bulk shipments arriving by sea in December.
This season’s supply has tripled compared to previous years, creating an oversupply that has driven prices down. Shanghai saw its first major shipment of 931 tons coming by sea on December 17. On December 26, 2024, Tianjin Port received its first major shipment of the season supplying the northern China market, with 380 containers carrying 8,000 tons of cherries entering retail channels. This larger volume, coupled with reduced transportation costs, has contributed to price reductions of almost 30% for 2J and 3J cherries.
Adding to this, Mu Xueping, general manager of a leading fruit distributor Wing May Group, highlighted that Chile’s favorable weather last year—including no spring frosts and consistent rainfall—resulted in better quality and higher yields this season.
Retailers are pulling out all the stops with competitive pricing strategies to win over consumers. Aldi, for example, capitalizes on economies of scale by sourcing multiple products from top suppliers. Working with the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (Frutas de Chile) this season, importing cherries in their original packaging directly from Chile has helped minimize labor and material costs, translating to significant savings for shoppers. Their dynamic pricing model, adjusted to market trends, further boosts sales volumes while optimizing cost efficiencies.
Despite the price drops, a major Chilean cherry importer in China revealed that there is no issue with sales stagnation—cherries sell as soon as they arrive, indicating strong consumer demand. The importer explained their consignment-based model, where payments to Chilean suppliers are tied to domestic sales performance. While lower prices have squeezed profits, Chilean exporters and farmers are still earning at current price levels.
The price war is not without pitfalls. Many consumers have raised complaints, particularly about cherries purchased online, citing issues like 3J cherries failing to meet advertised size standards. Industry experts emphasize the need for better consumer education on cherry grading systems to ensure transparency and help buyers make informed decisions.
As January 2025 unfolds, large volumes of sea-transported cherries are expected to continue arriving in the Chinese market during the first two weeks. Prices are anticipated to remain low in the short term before Spring Festival shopping raises prices.
For now, consumers are enjoying an era of unprecedented cherry affordability, with hopes that better standards will ensure quality matches the value.
