China has significantly increased its fruit exports to Thailand this year, with Australia and Chile also benefiting from the country's strong demand for temperate fruit. 

Customs Department of Thailand statistics from January through August show the country imported 40,739 metric tons (MT) more apples from China year-on-year, representing a growth rate of 79%.

In contrast, apple volume falls were seen for New Zealand (-16%; 21,233MT), the U.S. (-36%; 9,188MT) and France (-27%; 1,789MT).

China also more than doubled its table grape exports to Thailand for the period at a rate of 118% to reach 58,048MT, while second-largest supplier Peru had a decline in shipments of 13% down to 9,610MT.

Meanwhile, Australia's table grape export shipments to Thailand rose 23% to 6,063MT, while significant jumps were also in store for Chile (+36%; 4,458MT) and India (+52%; 3,210MT).

In mandarins, China shipped 65% more to Thailand at 55,997MT, while Australia - albeit in much lower volumes - exported 64% more mandarins to Thailand at 4,610MT.

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