Global fruit suppliers react to arrests at Chinese importer, Dalian Yidu

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Fruit shippers from around the world are increasingly concerned about the arrest of the chairman of one of China’s leading importers, Dalian Yidu. As China gears up for new year, exporters are at a peak time, and many of the volumes currently on the way to China, or in storage, were sent without upfront payment. Chilean cherry exporters are particularly exposed as the market is slow  – some 4,000 containers of cherries have been shipped from Chile to China, with Yidu handling up to 20% of the total. Kiwifruit exporters are also concerned – Yidu handled about 4% of Zepri’s export crop last year. Yidu’s chairman is reportedly under arrest by Customs authorities, along with his younger brother. The company is still trading but shippers are trying to divert exports currently underway, while others are seeking payment.