China is the world's largest fruit producer and one of the largest fruit consumers. However, every year, a large number of fruits are wasted because they are unsalable, resulting in huge economic losses and waste of resources. Why is that? This article will uncover the truth behind the unsalable fruits in China and give you a deeper understanding of this phenomenon.
First, let's take a look at the production and consumption of fruits in China. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2022, China's fruit production reached 31,296240,000 tons, accounting for nearly a quarter of the world's fruit production, and the output of a variety of fruits ranks first in the world. In 2022, China's fruit consumption reached 281 million tons, accounting for nearly one-third of global fruit consumption, with a per capita fruit consumption of 1986 kg, which is higher than the world average.
Judging from these data, China's fruit supply and demand should be balanced, or even oversupplied. So, why is there still a phenomenon of unsalable fruits?
In fact, there are many reasons for the unsalable fruits, mainly including the following aspects:
First, fruit farmers have backward information and blindly follow the trend of planting. Many fruit farmers do not choose fruit varieties reasonably according to market demand and their own conditions, but blindly follow popular varieties, resulting in too many homogeneous fruits in the market, fierce competition, and consumer needs can not be satisfied. For example, Sunshine Rose grapes used to be a high-end fruit, as high as 300 yuan a kilogram, but with the large number of fruit growers, there is a surplus of Sunshine Rose grapes on the market, and consumers' tastes have turned to other varieties, resulting in a large number of Sunshine Rose grapes being unsalable.
Second, the quality of the fruit is not high, which does not meet the health needs of consumers. In order to pursue yield and profit, some fruit farmers use pesticides and chemical fertilizers irrationally, resulting in a decline in fruit quality and even excessive pesticide residues. These fruits not only affect the health of consumers, but also damage the taste and appearance of the fruits, making consumers lose interest and confidence in these fruits. For example, in November 2023, among the 1,097 batches of products sampled by the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, 10 batches of substandard agricultural products were detected, including fruits such as mandarin orange and bayberry.
Third, there are problems in the circulation of fruits, which increases the cost and loss of fruits. From the origin to the hands of consumers, fruits need to go through multiple links such as purchase, transportation, wholesale, and retail, which will increase the cost and loss of fruits, and affect the freshness and quality of fruits. Especially in the event of bad weather and natural disasters, the circulation of fruits will be more affected, resulting in the instability of fruits, large fluctuations, and reduced consumer purchase intentions. For example, the nectarines in Zhouzhi County, Shaanxi Province, because of heavy rains and floods, caused fruit procurement and transportation to be blocked, **significantly**, and fruits that could not be sold could only be thrown into the garbage heap.
Fourth, the competition of imported fruits has seized the market share of domestic fruits. With the development of the economy and the degree of openness, China's fruit market is becoming more and more internationalized, and the number and variety of imported fruits are also increasing. Some imported fruits have attracted the favor of many consumers, especially some high-end consumers, due to their high quality, new varieties and good taste. However, some domestic fruits have lost their competitiveness in the market because of their shortcomings such as low quality, old varieties and poor taste. According to statistics, in 2022, China's fruit imports reached 145$4.4 billion, while exports are only $593.9 billion US dollars, and the import and export balance is as high as 860.5 billion US dollars.
The phenomenon of unsalable fruit is a complex problem, involving multiple links such as fruit production, circulation, and consumption, and needs to be solved from many aspects.
First, fruit farmers should improve their awareness of information, reasonably choose fruit varieties, and avoid blindly following the trend of planting. Fruit farmers should choose suitable fruit varieties according to market demand and their own conditions, and do not follow popular varieties at will, resulting in an imbalance between supply and demand in the market. At the same time, fruit farmers should strengthen information collection and analysis, keep abreast of market dynamics and trends, adjust their planting plans and strategies, and grasp market opportunities and risks.
Second, fruit farmers should improve their awareness of quality, plant fruits scientifically, and ensure the health and safety of fruits. Fruit farmers should use pesticides and fertilizers reasonably, comply with relevant laws, regulations and standards, prevent excessive pesticide residues, and ensure the quality and safety of fruits. At the same time, fruit farmers should pay attention to the taste and appearance of fruits, improve the taste and grade of fruits, and meet the aesthetic and taste needs of consumers.
The third is to strengthen the reform and innovation of fruit circulation, reduce the cost and loss of fruits, and improve the freshness and quality of fruits. It is necessary to optimize the logistics system of fruits, improve the efficiency and speed of fruit transportation, and reduce the loss and waste of fruits. It is necessary to develop the e-commerce platform of fruits, use the Internet and big data and other technologies to realize the online sales and distribution of fruits, shorten the circulation time and distance of fruits, reduce the intermediate links of fruits, and improve the transparency and fairness of fruits.
Fourth, strengthen the brand building and publicity and promotion of fruits, improve the visibility and reputation of fruits, and increase the market share and competitiveness of fruits. It is necessary to build a fruit brand with characteristics and advantages, highlight the regional characteristics, cultural connotation, health value and so on of fruits, and form differentiated competition for fruits. It is necessary to strengthen the publicity and promotion of fruits, use various channels and channels to display the image and characteristics of fruits, increase the degree and influence of fruits, and attract the attention and interest of consumers.
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