The former "high-end fruit" has fallen from its pedestal this year. What happened?

Compared with the previous two years, the price of cherries this year has dropped drastically!

In previous years, cherries cost 70 or 80 yuan per pound, but this year the price has even dropped to 15 yuan per pound. Even 2-3J cherries only cost 25-35 yuan per pound.

According to experts' prediction, the price of cherries will drop to the lowest point at the end of January this year. So why is the price so cheap this year? Today we will briefly understand the reasons for the price drop of cherries. More importantly, we will teach you how to choose delicious cherries.

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Cherries from overseas

The cherries sold in supermarkets are the transliteration of "cherries", which usually refers to sweet cherries. Its history can be traced back to the ancient Roman period. Legend has it that cherries were regarded as precious fruits at that time and only nobles could enjoy them (I don't know if the legend is true, but it is true that cherries are usually more expensive...). As time went by, cherries gradually spread to all parts of the world, including America, Asia and other places.

Chile is located on the west coast of South America, with a cool climate, plenty of sunshine and moderate rainfall. Here, the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean provide ideal conditions for the growth of cherries. The soil in the Central Valley of Chile is fertile, and the temperature difference between day and night is large, which is conducive to the accumulation of sugar, making cherries sweet and of high quality.

The ripening period of Chilean cherries coincides with the winter in the northern hemisphere. When local cherries in China and other northern hemisphere countries are not yet on the market, Chilean cherries are in the harvest season, filling the market gap. This off-season advantage makes Chilean cherries uniquely competitive in the winter market.

Why has the price of cherries dropped sharply this year?

The reason for the price drop of cherries is very simple. It can be summed up as "more production and lower costs". In recent years, the area of ​​cherry cultivation in Chile has increased significantly. According to data from the Chilean Agricultural Research and Policy Office, the area of ​​cherry cultivation has increased from 3,241 hectares in 2000 to 61,559 hectares in 2022, and by 2024, the area of ​​cultivation will further increase to 74,148 hectares.

Chilean cherry export volume from 2015 to 2025 (expected to increase sharply in 2025) (drawn by the author)

In addition to the growing planting area, the 2024-2025 season has seen record production, with exports expected to increase by 50% over the previous season, to a total of about 650,000 tons worldwide. The substantial increase in production has resulted in a market supply far exceeding demand, which has driven down prices.

The second reason is the decline in shipping costs this year. With the arrival of a large number of cherries shipped by sea, the transportation cost has dropped significantly compared to air transportation. The scale effect of sea transportation has reduced the unit transportation cost, further driving down the price of cherries. Compared with the previous 30-40 days of sea transportation, the current transportation cycle has been shortened to about 20 days, which greatly reduces the loss of cherries during transportation.

There are so many varieties of cherries

There are many varieties of cherries on the market, and there are more than 300 known commercial varieties. Next, I will briefly introduce several common cherry varieties and their characteristics and differences.

1

Santina

Santina is a variety with a very large volume in the market. It is listed in December and January. It is one of the earliest varieties to be listed. The fruit is heart-shaped, dark purple-red in color, and bright and attractive in appearance. The fruit is relatively large and the price is also very suitable. It is the king of cost performance. The flesh is thick, the core is small, the taste is crisp and sweet, the sweetness is high, and the taste is sweet. The weight of a single fruit can reach more than 12 grams. After long-term storage, the quality remains good.

4J's Santina Cherries (Photo by the author)

2

Bing

Bin is the first choice after the Santina season. It is available in January and February. Bin has large, heart-shaped fruits with shiny red-black skin. The flesh is crisp, juicy, sweet and very appetizing.

Bing Image from wiki

3

Sweetheart

Available from January to February every year, the fruit is round or heart-shaped, bright red in color. The flesh is juicy, with a mellow and sweet taste. The sweetness is medium, and the taste is sweet and sour.

4

Lapin

It is available in December and January every year. It looks similar to Santina, with medium sweetness and a slightly sour taste. The fruit is large and red-black in color. The flesh is crisp and hard, with a sweet and sour taste.

5

Brooks

The fruit is on the market early, from October to December every year. It is oblate, with bright red skin, light yellow background, and glossy luster. The flesh is purple-red, with moderate hardness and a small core. It is moderately sweet and has a slightly sour flavor.

6

Royal Rainier

It is available early, from November to January of the following year. The fruit is large, red to dark red, and the flesh is soft and juicy. It has a light honey aroma, a sweet taste, and a good sugar-acid ratio.

7

Skeena

The fruit is black and red and has a unique appearance. It is the top variety of cherries. The flesh is dense, juicy and mellow. It is hard and sweet, but the acidity is lower than other varieties. The price is also higher.

8

Rainier

It is on the market from November to February every year. It is also called "Golden Car" because of its golden yellow skin. The flesh is fresh, crisp, sweet, juicy and has a good flavor.

Rainier (Image from wiki)

When choosing cherries, pay attention to the following points

1

Appearance

Choose cherries with smooth skin and bright colors. Avoid those with sunken surfaces or dull colors. Also choose cherries with fresh green stems and uniform fruit color. Cherries that are too dark red or too light may be of poor quality.

2

size

Cherries are generally divided into sizes of L, XL, J, JJ, JJJ, and JJJJ. The larger the size, the more expensive it is. Although size is not the only criterion, larger cherries are usually sweeter and more juicy. At the same time, it should be noted that some unscrupulous vendors will falsely mark small-sized cherries as large-sized and sell them.

3

hardness

Fresh cherries should have a certain hardness. Cherries that are too soft or have dents may have gone bad. We do not recommend buying them.

4

Origin

High-quality cherries are mainly produced in Chile, the United States, Canada and other places. When choosing imported cherries, you should pay attention to the place of origin and import certificate.

5

brand

Choosing products from well-known brands can better ensure quality and safety.

6

Box label

Variety name (SANTINA in the picture), origin (Chile), production date and specifications (02/12/2024 2.5kg). The newer the date, the more likely it is shipped by air, and more than 30 days ago, it may be shipped by sea.

Small cherries are rich in nutrients

Cherry pulp is rich in anthocyanins (photographed by the author)

Cherries are rich in various nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E, as well as antioxidants such as anthocyanins and flavonoids. Among them, vitamin A helps maintain vision and skin health, vitamin E is known for its powerful antioxidant properties, and anthocyanins and flavonoids not only help to remove free radicals in the body, but also help to beautify the skin.

It should be noted that although cherries are rich in nutrients, they contain more dietary fiber and pectin. Excessive consumption will increase the burden on the stomach and intestines, leading to indigestion symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea. Especially for people with weak gastrointestinal function, they are more likely to feel uncomfortable.

Cherries contain a high amount of sugar, mainly glucose and fructose. For diabetics or people with unstable blood sugar, eating too many cherries at one time will cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, affecting health. For people who control their blood sugar or want to lose weight, be sure to eat a moderate amount of cherries.

Planning and production

Author: Zhang Cong, a graduate student in agronomy and seed industry, majoring in vegetables

Reviewer: Song Shuang, Associate Researcher, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Planning丨Ding Zong

Editor: Ding Zong

Proofread by Xu Lai and Lin Lin