On September 9, the 20th China Juice Conference (China Juice 2026), organized by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA), was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Xi'an. Nearly 300 representatives from domestic and international juice production, trading, retail, equipment, and packaging enterprises gathered in the ancient city of Xi'an. Over 40 overseas buyers from more than 20 countries—including the United States, Germany, Spain, Poland, Russia, Japan, and New Zealand—attended the conference. They engaged in in-depth discussions on global concentrated apple juice supply and demand, the European and American trade landscape, and opportunities across multiple juice categories. [Image 1: Opening ceremony / Main visual]

Twenty years on, Xi'an becomes a new pivot in the "global juice coordinate system"

This year's conference coincides with the 20th anniversary of the China Juice Conference. Zhang Yuzhong, member of the Party Committee of CFNA, stated in his opening speech that the conference has grown from an early industry exchange meeting into an international professional event integrating forum discussions, business matchmaking, trade negotiations, and product exhibitions. It has become an important platform for juice industry peers from various countries to "discuss industry hotspots, broaden cooperation space, and seek win-win development every year." [Image 2: Zhang Yuzhong delivering speech]

Wang Wei, Chairman and General Manager of SDIC Zhonglu Fruit Juice Co., Ltd. and Chairman of the Juice Branch of CFNA, specifically mentioned in his speech that Shaanxi is one of China's main producing areas for juice, especially concentrated apple juice. Choosing Xi'an as the venue is both a tribute to the producing region and a convenience for in-depth exchanges between Chinese and foreign enterprises. Yang Jianwei, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Fruit Industry Center, attended the conference.

Data sets the tone: China's concentrated apple juice is deeply integrated into global dining tables

A set of data disclosed by Zhang Yuzhong on site became the starting point for the full-scale assessment:

 According to the conference release: China is the world's largest producer and exporter of concentrated apple juice, with over 90% of its production exported. From 2016 to 2025, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of China's juice exports reached 3.1%. In January–July 2026: China's total juice export volume was 305,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 7.2%; of which concentrated apple juice accounted for 229,000 tons (75% of total juice exports), up 6.8% year-on-year. Against the backdrop of rising global trade uncertainties, this set of data showing "volume growth and stable share" was interpreted by multiple participants as a signal of resilience in China's juice industry chain. However, variables such as geopolitical conflicts and trade protectionism have also made "rebalancing supply and demand" an unavoidable main theme of this conference. [Image 3: Data chart / Industry background image]

Global triangular dialogue: China, Europe, and the US "crunch the numbers" on the same stage

The conference featured 6 special reports, forming for the first time a comparative analysis of three core markets: "China–Europe–US":

• Wang Benzhong (SDIC Zhonglu): Analysis of Supply and Demand Situation of Chinese Apple Juice in the 2026 Season

• Zhao Yan (Jinan Fruit Research Institute, All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives): Current Status and Development Opportunities of China's Orange Juice Industry

• He Feng (China Office of Tetra Pak Asia Trade, Thailand): China's Red Grape Juice Market

• Mariano Sangroniz (Samil Group, USA): Global Lemon Industry Market Overview and Industry Trends

• Simon Peter (Döhler Group): European Concentrated Apple Juice Market and Trade Analysis

• Ian Rea (Rea Fruit & Flavor Company): US Concentrated Apple Market and Trade Analysis

The special reports were hosted by Zhu Fengtao, Chief Expert of Jinan Fruit Research Institute and Expert of the Juice Branch of CFNA. [Image 4: Keynote speeches / Guest speakers]

Roundtable clash: Where is the inflection point for global apple juice supply and demand?

As the closing session, the roundtable dialogue on "Global Apple Juice Supply and Demand Analysis" brought representatives from China, the US, and Europe to the same table:

• Zhang Ruilian (Deputy General Manager, SDIC Zhonglu)

• Hu Yahui (General Manager of Trade, Döhler China)

• Joel Woolman (Vice President of Sales, Rea Fruit & Flavor)

The three parties clashed over variables such as raw materials for the 2026 season, export pace, tariffs and logistics costs, and the rise of alternative producing regions. A consensus is forming: global apple juice trade is shifting from "unipolar supply, one-way export" to "multi-regional complementarity and two-way calibration of supply and demand." The bargaining logic of Chinese enterprises must also shift from "competing on production capacity" to "competing on pace, quality, and market mix."

From Freshco Industry Ltd