Total imports dropped by 6 percent in volume in 1996, but total value stayed about the same. The Philippines dominates the mango market, accounting for more than 70 percent of total volume. Prices paid for product vary widely, depending on country of origin. Thailand dominates this category, and supplies products such as durian, rambutan, lychees, and longans. Taiwan and China both supply lychees, as well as persimmons and other items.
Malaysian product is mostly carambola, whereas New Zealand supplies mostly kiwi fruit.
With fewer than 6 million people, Hong Kong spends half as much on fruit and vegetable imports as Japan does with 125 million inhabitants. Although imports of vegetables are in decline, tropical produce, melons, grapes, and citrus fruit remain the main growth areas for the produce trade, and quality suppliers are in demand. This site was designed by Fintrac Inc. , under the auspices of the Asia Regional Agribusiness Project and through the sponsorship of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture .