The prices of Taiwan-grown fruits have dropped about 20 percent in China's Shanghai City over the past month, thanks to the establishment of a direct distribution network, a fruit dealer in China's commercial capital said Wednesday. Fruit Taiwan Corp. general manager Eric Kuei said the direct distribution network has been operating well following a visit to Shanghai by a Taiwanese delegation earlier this month. During its visit, the delegation organized by Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) hosted a Taiwan farm produce festival to promote Taiwan-grown fruits and vegetables, Kuei said. 'Sales have since increased while prices continue falling, ' Kuei said. According to him, wholesale prices have declined between 10 percent to 25 percent, depending on fruit variety and quality, while retail prices have plunged by an average of 20 percent. There are now about 150 wholesalers and retailers in Shanghai, such as 7-ELEVEN convenience stores, that sell more than 30 kinds of Taiwan-grown fruits, including pomelos, wax apples, and papayas, Kuei said. With the establishment of direct sales network, Kuei said he believes the annual sales of Taiwan fruits in Shanghai alone will reach 1,200 tons, roughly double the level recorded in the past. According to COA statistics, Taiwan exported 6,356 tons of fresh fruits to China in the first eight months of this year, with a combined value of US$7.215 million. The figures represented an 83 percent increase in voulume and a 127 percent rise in value, respectively. COA official Tai Te-fang said in a recent visit to Shanghai that prices for five kinds of fruits from Taiwan -- bananas, oranges, dragon fruit, Hami melon and lemon-- are expected to drop slightly after the 'early harvest' program under a cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) is implemented at the beginning of next year, which could further spur sales. 