China: Stone Fruit Annual
Due to extreme weather this spring in the stone fruit producing regions, both peach and nectarine production and cherry production are forecast down for MY 18/19 from MY 17/18 production levels. Demand for high quality fruit is increasing in China and imported cherries have an opportunity to fill this demand. Stone fruit imports are forecast to increase in MY 18/19 with cherry imports reaching 160,000 MT and peach and nectarine imports forecast at 20,000 MT. The United States is viewed as the epitome of a high quality fruit supplier and innovative marketing using e-commerce platforms can help boost U.S. cherry exports to China.