As the 2026/2027 crop season begins, China remains the global hub for freeze-dried (FD) fruits, driving supply chains for the bakery, cereal, and snack industries worldwide. Here is the latest on-the-ground report for Apples and Strawberries.
1. Freeze-Dried Apples: Stable Supply with Rising Premium Demands
Favorable weather in Shaanxi and Shandong has produced a stable, abundant yield for the 2026/2027 season.
• Price & Supply: Bulk prices for standard FD apple dices remain stable.
• The Shift: Demand is shifting rapidly toward organic, baby-food grade, and low-residue varieties. This keeps premium apple prices firm as testing and sorting costs rise.
2. Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Rebound in Volume, Strictest Compliance
Following recent heavy regulatory scrutiny in the EU and US, this season marks a critical turning point for quality control.
• Supply: Raw material volume has recovered thanks to strictly controlled "smart farming" in Jiangsu and Shandong.
• Price & Quality: Export prices for finished FD whole strawberries will remain firm. This is driven by rigorous lab testing for heavy metals (Cadmium) and pesticide residues, alongside high rejection rates during advanced color sorting.
Key Takeaways for B2B Buyers
• Lock Contracts Early: Secure compliant FD Strawberry batches now, as top-tier confectionery and cereal brands are booking inventory rapidly.
• Audit the Factory, Not Just Price: Ensure your supplier provides full batch traceability and international certifications like BRCGS or IFS.
NRL FOOD is located in Tianjin, China, 30km from the Tianjin port. The total investment of the company is more than 20 million RMB. The existing staff is more than 50 people, all of which the core technicians have more than 5 years of snack products production experience. We have 8 advanced freeze dried production line, 20 vacuum fried production lines, 60 kinds of different fruit and vegetable chips, 1500 Ton fruit and vegetable chips annual. The products we supplied are certificated by HACCP, KOSHER......[ read more>>]
