THE fruit markets in Shenzhen have an adequate and diverse supply for the upcoming Spring Festival, with the average daily trading volume of fruit reaching 1,200 tons in the city’s largest produce market Higreen, the Daily Sunshine reported Thursday.

Due to the worries over possible virus infection via imported goods, the wholesale price of cherries in local markets dropped sharply. Increased supply also means the prices of imported cherries have been more affordable this year.

For instance, the best category of cherries from New Zealand transported by air to Shenzhen is only about 400 yuan (US$61.92) per 2 kilograms, which is more than 50 percent cheaper compared with previous years.

“Some retailers sell some middle and low-end cherries for 9.8 yuan per 500 grams,” said Qiu Mingjian, a stall owner in Higreen. Qiu’s stall mainly sells imported cherries of relatively large sizes.

Qiu said the wholesale price of 3J cherries was 380 yuan per 2 kilograms last year, and this year, the price has dropped by more than 50 percent. This gives citizens a chance to purchase higher-quality cherries at more affordable prices.

According to Higreen, its daily trading volume of fruit is currently 1,200 tons and the overall supply of fruit is sufficient and stable. The average price of domestic fruit is 9.41 yuan per kilogram, while that of imported fruit is 26.3 yuan per kilogram. (Zhang Yu)