GEORGE TOWN: When tucking into mandarin oranges this year, consumers can expect more than festive cheer with prices easing and better flavours.
Due to steady rainfall and good sunlight last year, the fruit is cheaper, juicier and naturally sweeter.
Sunshine Group marketing communications senior manager Bryan Wong said mandarins are about 9% cheaper on average this Chinese New Year due to a bumper crop.
“Our mandarins are imported from Yongchun in China, and the quality is better this year with higher juice content.
“We are fortunate that the weather there was good, which led to higher yields and lower prices.
“We ordered 10 container loads with the first having arrived on Jan 14,” he said when met at Sunshine Central in Bandar Baru Air Itam.
Wong said the fruit was imported directly from the orchard to ensure freshness.
“Quality is stable despite fluctuations in some producing regions.
“Parts of Fujian, including Shunchang and Jian’ou, recorded lower yields, but Yongchun orchards maintained steady production,” he said, attributing this to favourable weather conditions.
He said the mandarins are brightly coloured, aromatic and have a high water content, making them juicier and offering good shelf stability for the festive period.
Prices range from RM17.80 per carton for small sizes, RM20.88 for medium, RM25.28 for large and RM28.88 for extra large.
“Cartons are cheaper when bought in bulk or wholesale. They have been available since mid- January,” he said.
On premium mandarins such as Papagan, Red Beauty and Ponkan, Wong said these are sold in smaller boxes.
“They are usually bought as gifts or by consumers looking for specific flavours,” he added.
Chloe Koay, a business development manager for a fresh fruit importer and distributor, said this year’s mandarins are sweeter due to good growing conditions.
“We sourced mandarins from Sichuan and Yongchun, and the crop was better because the weather was favourable.
“This year, we brought in more than 100 containers for nationwide distribution,” she said.
Koay said careful selection ensured consistent sweetness across their range.
“Although Papagan and Red Beauty are positioned as premium, we are just as selective with our regular mandarins.
“Consumers care more about sweetness than size,” she said, adding that prices remained stable this year.
International Tropical Fruits Network chief executive officer Salim Ali said mandarin oranges are reasonably priced this Chinese New Year due to a good harvest and improved supply logistics.
“Prices may be slightly lower or similar to last year as overall supply remains sufficient to meet festive demand,” he said.
According to Salim, a standard mandarin carton is expected to retail between RM18 and RM30, with premium-grade fruit costing more.
“Consumers can expect good quality fruit at reasonable prices,” he added.
