FRUIT MARKETING IN CHINA

Chinese fruit industry has undergone dramatic changes since the economic reform. Production of fruit in China grew obviously; in 1998 fruit production reached 54,5 million tons, making China the largest fruit-producing country in the world. Fruit distribution channels have also been improved considerably and the establishment of fruit wholsale markets has significantly faciliated fruit distribution. Consumption patterns have also changed; as family income increases, consuments demand more fruit with high quality, inclouding imported fruit. Also, in recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in China's fruit trade, including both domestic inter-regional trade and forwign trade. This paper analyzes the tendency of consumption and marketing of fruits mainly from 1989-2002 in China, and made comparisons between China and the other countries (such as Poland) for above items. Main problems of the marketing of fruits in China were discussed, and the developing strategies were suggested.