Coronavirus halts global imports of fruits and vegetables

The largest players in the global fruit and vegetable market have changed their behavior strategy in connection with the spread of coronavirus. It is reported by FruitNews.

It is noted that over the past 5 years, the demand for fruit and vegetable products on average grew by 4% annually, but in 2020 this growth will stop. The key global importers are the USA (15%) and the Netherlands (6%).

For the I quarter of 2020, 29% of the world fruits and vegetables were imported to the United States. Mexico supplies 55% of products imported into the USA, Chile - 11%, Peru - 6%. In the structure of fruit and vegetable imports, table grapes occupy 9% of the volume, tomatoes - 8%, avocados - 7%. The largest increase in supplies was demonstrated by grapes from Peru and Chile ($ 900 million, + 20% compared to the same period last year), tomatoes from Mexico ($ 750 million, + 11%) and avocados - ($ 750, + 25%).

37% of the world trade in fruits and vegetables was imported to the Netherlands. The main suppliers are Spain (15%), South Africa (9%) and Peru (8%). The most popular items in the import structure are: table grapes (13%), bananas (8%) and avocados (6%). The volume of grape imports for three months in monetary terms amounted to $ 400 million, which is 2% less than a year earlier. About 58% of shipments came from South Africa and 17% from Peru. At the same time, the supply of grapes from South Africa grew by 7%, while Peru's exports, on the contrary, fell by 30%. Banana imports to the Netherlands exceeded $ 260 million (+ 9%). Most of the fruit was delivered from Panama (96%). In the first two months of the year, imports grew by 15%, but in March returned to the level of 2019. Avocado shipments totaled $ 200 million (+ 17%). The main suppliers are Chile (31%) and Colombia (18%).