From selling by weight to selling by the pound, the blueberry market is experiencing a price decline, with prices possibly dropping again in April and May.

Once upon a time, blueberries were the “aristocrats” of the fruit market. A small box could easily cost 20 to 30 yuan, leaving many residents unwilling to buy. Today, blueberry prices have seen a “cliff-like” drop: they’ve shifted from being sold per gram to being priced per jin (500 grams), small-box packaging has been upgraded to large buckets for wholesale, and the price is nearly cut in half. Recently, after visiting multiple supermarkets, community markets, and large fruit trading centers in Jinan, the reporter found that blueberries are getting cheaper; blueberries of different grades and origins are now priced more accessibly, and sales have surged. Industry insiders analyze that the main reasons for the price drop are an explosion in production capacity, concentrated harvest and release into the market, and market segmentation. In April and May, blueberry prices may fall again.

Market Visit: Blueberries’ “Value” Takes a Sudden Plunge; Per-Jin Pricing Becomes the New Normal

In recent days, the reporter went into chain supermarkets such as RT-Mart Jinan, Hema, and Yinzuo. In the fruit section, blueberries were displayed prominently, and all kinds of promotional posters were especially eye-catching. At RT-Mart, Yunnan high-mountain blueberries took center stage. The standard 125g pack with a fruit diameter of 14mm sells for 9.9 yuan; the extra-large fruit at 22mm sells for 15.9 yuan per box. For the 500g pack with 18mm medium fruit, the price is 38.9 yuan; the 200g pack with 24mm “plus” fruit is 28.9 yuan. Compared with the same period last year, the price has fallen by more than 30%. Inside Yinzuo supermarkets, blueberries, blackberries, and red raspberries all saw price cuts. Blueberries’ large fruit is 17.8 yuan per serving, and extra-large fruit is 29.8 yuan per serving. Many residents stood to choose, comparing prices and picking fruit granules.

“Before, buying just one small box cost nearly 20 yuan; the kids couldn’t finish it. Now for 9.9 yuan, you can buy a whole box!” At Hema, resident Zhang told the reporter that after blueberry prices dropped, her household buys them every week, whether for desserts or eaten straight. In a community market in the Huaiyin District, blueberry prices were even more down-to-earth. The stall owner used white plastic buckets and large plastic trays to hold the blueberries, selling them by the jin: “Small fruit is 25 yuan per jin; large fruit is 35 yuan per jin. Pick whatever you want and try whatever you want—if it’s not sweet, you don’t have to pay!” While calling out, Master Wang bagged items for customers. The area in front of the stall was packed with residents shopping.

At the Jiqing·Jiangnan Fruit Trading Center, box after box of blueberries were stacked. Wholesalers were busy loading and unloading and sorting. Blueberries from Yunnan and Shandong local areas dominated. “Around this time last year, the wholesale price for 500g blueberries was 50 to 60 yuan; this year it’s only 30 to 40 yuan. Our purchase volume is more than double last year.” Wang Lizhi, head of the trading center, introduced that this year’s blueberries saw a major expansion in growing areas. Large-scale bases have been established in places including Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, as well as Shandong Rizhao, Linyi, and Jinan. Overall output has increased significantly compared with previous years. The surge in incoming volume to the primary wholesale market directly drove a sharp drop in terminal prices.

The reporter’s visits found that blueberry packaging has now said goodbye to being “small and refined.” A 125g small box is still the main option, but 500g large boxes and loose per-jin packaging are becoming increasingly common. On top of that, you can even see blueberries packed in small plastic buckets or bamboo baskets at vegetable markets and early morning markets—“For the price of a cup of milk tea, take home a whole large basket” has become reality. Many merchants said that this year’s blueberry prices are the lowest in nearly ten years. The retail price per jin for typical medium-sized fruit is basically within 30 yuan, and large fruit also doesn’t exceed 40 yuan, fully breaking the “high-price lens.”

Public Response: Budget-Friendly Blueberries Are Popular; Behind the “Freedom” Are Pleasant Surprises

“Before, I thought blueberries were ‘a premium fruit’—I only would buy them on holidays. Now the prices are so affordable that I can eat them every day!” At the Impression Jinan morning market, resident Liu said she carries a full bag of blueberries. She told the reporter she’s a loyal fan of blueberries. Previously, a 125g box in the supermarket cost nearly 20 yuan, and she could only buy one box per week. Now at the morning market, for 30 yuan, you can buy a jin. “The size isn’t especially uniform, but the flavor is very sweet, the freshness is high, and the value for money is maxed out.”

In interviews, many residents admitted that after blueberry prices dropped, their buying frequency increased significantly—from “trying it occasionally” to “a daily necessity.” “Grandparents and kids at home both love eating them. Before, we bought one box and shared it. Now we buy by the jin!” said Mr. Li. He compared prices across several markets. The loose-packaged blueberries in the community market are the cheapest, while the premium fruit in supermarkets has more stable quality. “No matter which one, it’s half as expensive as last year. With the low prices, I’ll stock up more while I can.”

This round of blueberry price drops is not due to lower quality. The reporter tasted on site and found that whether it’s premium fruit from supermarkets or loose fruit from the market, blueberries are plump, with evenly distributed blueberry powder (bloom), and the taste is balanced between tart and sweet. “Many customers worry that cheap means bad quality, but there’s no need. This year has high output; prices fell because supply exceeds demand. The quality is as good as last year—and even sweeter, because the harvest ripened in a more concentrated period,” said Sun, a wholesaler at the Dikou Fruit Wholesale Market. This year, blueberry sales have increased by more than 30% year over year.

Reasons for the Price Drop: Three Factors Drive the Big Cut; In April, Prices May Drop Again

Why did blueberries that once cost “100 yuan per jin” now see a “sudden plunge” in price? At RT-Mart, staff member Lin said the price drop is the result of multiple factors coming together. The core drivers are an explosion in production capacity, concentrated release into the market, and market diversion. In the short term, there is still room for further price decreases.

According to available data, China has become the world’s largest producer of blueberries. Yunnan, as a core main production area, has been expanding planting year after year. High-yield varieties such as L-series and F-series have been widely adopted. In 2026, Yunnan’s blueberry output is projected to grow 39% year over year, with a huge volume of fresh fruit flowing into the market. At the same time, planting areas in producing regions such as Shandong, Guangxi, and Guizhou have continued to expand. Newly established orchards have gradually entered peak production, leading to “explosive” growth in production capacity and breaking the previous situation of tight supply.

“Overlapping the concentrated ripening period is the direct trigger for the price crash. This spring, temperatures stabilized and warmed up. Blueberries of different varieties in Yunnan matured at the same time. Fresh fruit that previously would have been staggered in market release poured into the market all at once, instantly saturating supply.” Lin told the reporter. In addition, during the Spring Festival period, some mature fruits were not harvested in time. After the holiday, with new fruit entering the market on top of that, it created “a phase of excess supply.” To reduce losses, wholesalers can only cut prices to promote sales and speed up turnover.

“Right now, the price drop is only the beginning. In April and May, as large quantities of blueberries from northern producing areas such as Shandong and Liaoning enter the market, supply will increase further, and prices are expected to fall another 20% to 30%.” Fang Lizhi said that this price drop is a phased adjustment in China’s blueberry industry’s shift from “niche premium” to “broad public affordability.” In the long run, as consumer potential is released, high-quality and differentiated pricing will become a new industry trend.

Reporter: Li Kunran Photography: Li Kunran Editor: Han Luying Proofreader: Liu Tian

【Source: New Yellow River】