Viral Facebook video of maggot-infested cherries posted in Canada hits sales of fruit in Hong Kong markets
- Imports from US drop 26 per cent in May 2019 year on year and from Turkey tumble 70 per cent
- Washington cherries are being sold for around HK$70-80 for two pounds, about 20 per cent lower than the same time last year
The summer fruit season has returned to Hong Kong with cheaper but fewer cherries from the United States for a disturbing reason.
The US – primarily the northwest region, which is the biggest supplier of cherries in the city – saw farmers complaining about soured consumer confidence in the juicy produce after a viral video on social media showed maggots in the fruit.
A key Hong Kong importer of American cherries said on Wednesday wholesale prices were broadly weaker this time than last year due to confidence issues even though the produce was about 30 per cent lower in volume and its quality fared better than that of the last season.
“It is a pity the video turned off some shoppers,” said Leo Lai, the 27-year-old heir to a family-owned fruit import firm in Hong Kong.
“Retailers – such as supermarkets – and some wholesalers have hesitated to import more cherries this year, fearing the stock will be hard to sell.”
