China: Raisin Annual
China is the world’s third largest producer of raisins behind the United States and Turkey. Post forecasts China’s MY2015/16 raisin production at 190,000 tons, an increase of 5 percent over USDA’s MY2014/15 official estimate. The increase is driven by the greater availability of fresh grapes for raisin production. China’s raisin imports are forecast at 33,500 tons, an increase of 15 percent over MY2014/15, primarily due to the influx of low priced Uzbekistan raisins. Post forecasts China’s exports at 20,000 metric tons, down 10 percent from the previous year.