100% French-Origin and 100% Naturally Grown: Juliet Apples Debut in China

On May 6, Blue Whale, a leading French supplier of fresh apples, officially introduced its Juliet apples to the Chinese market. This marks the variety’s first-ever entry into China, which was celebrated with an inaugural container opening ceremony at the Shanghai Huizhan Fruit and Vegetable Market.

Attendees included Pierre Martin, economic chief at the Consulate General of France in Shanghai; Julien Baumann, Asia commercial manager at Blue Whale SAS; Patsachon Niyomthai, Asia marketing manager at Blue Whale SAS; Qiao Qi, integrated business manager at Shanghai Textile Import and Export Company Limited; and Xu Jialei, representative from Shanghai Zelun Trading Company Limited.

Juliet apples are exclusively grown in France and are not cultivated in any other country or region worldwide. The variety is produced in strict compliance with French organic farming standards, with no use of synthetic chemical pesticides or genetically modified technologies. At the same time, Blue Whale is actively advancing the organic certification process for Juliet apples in China, aiming to provide Chinese consumers with an even higher level of quality assurance in the near future.

Juliet apples feature pale yellow skin streaked with red, giving them a bright and vibrant appearance. Their flesh is crisp, tender and juicy, offering a pleasantly sweet taste. The peel is rich in vitamins, making the fruit even more nutritious when eaten whole. Renowned for their excellent storability, Juliet apples can achieve a shelf life of 8–10 months, depending on seasonal conditions in China.

As a proprietary variety, Juliet apples are primarily grown by Blue Whale, the leading producer, accounting for approximately 50–70% of total Juliet apple output in the first half of 2026. According to Baumann, since the start of the 2025/26 season, Blue Whale has been officially recognized as the second-largest exporter of Juliet apples and is responsible for the sales and marketing of Juliet apples in China, one of the company’s strategic target markets.

This season, the company plans to export five to seven containers (approximately 100–150 metric tons) to the Chinese market for initial testing, with distribution primarily through wholesale channels to gauge market response.

Beginning with the new production season in October 2026, Blue Whale will implement more comprehensive brand promotion and marketing efforts, shifting its focus to consumer-facing initiatives.

Blue Whale, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Montauban, France — an area renowned for its favorable climate and fertile soil — is a leading supplier of fresh apples in the country, with operations spanning the entire value chain, including cultivation, packaging, export and marketing.

The company brings together 300 experienced growers and manages 6,620 hectares of standardized orchards, supported by 14 specialized cooperatives. With an annual production of approximately 270,000 metric tons of fruit across 25 premium varieties, its products are exported to 70 countries and regions worldwide, generating an annual revenue of around 310 million euros ($362 million).

Blue Whale was one of the earliest companies to export French-origin apples to China. Since 2000, the company has been actively developing the Chinese market and has become the largest French apple supplier to China. Over two decades of local operations have given it a deep understanding of Chinese consumers’ dual pursuit of quality and health.

Innovation is a core competitive strength of Blue Whale. Over the years, the company has successfully introduced a range of well-received apple varieties, including Candine, Kissabel and Novablue. The addition of Juliet apples has further enriched its premium product portfolio. Notably, Blue Whale is committed to cultivating apples in a sustainable way, ensuring exceptional fruit quality while protecting the natural environment, so that each apple embodies the harmony of nature’s gifts and human craftsmanship. Blue Whale’s mission is to re-enchant the pleasure of eating apples.

Images: Blue Whale