The European Union remains the top importer of southern hemisphere fruit, with 33% market share, according to figures released at the recent Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (SHAFFE) meeting in Atlanta, USA.
The volume shipped to the EU has however decreased by 18% since 2005.
The USA is also a dominant importer (particularly from South American countries) with 15% market share – although here the volume has also decreased.
Imports into Russia have decreased by 17%, with a big decrease recorded in 2014 for economic reasons. Japan’s imports also decreased.
China on the other hand leads the pack in terms of countries that have shown significant increases in imports. It is importing seven times more fruit from the southern hemisphere than it did in 2005.
Hong Kong has also risen substantially while in the Middle East Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have also increased their appetite for southern hemisphere fruit.
Brazil has imported more from its southern hemisphere neighbours. Unlike its neighbour, Canadian imports from the southern hemisphere have also increased.
