Argentina's Agricultural Concierge in China highlighted the potential there was for exports of pears and apples to China in a report released by the Argentina Chamber of Exporters (CERA).
The study warned that the growth the import of these products had recorded has "caught the attention of the world's fruit exporters to enter this market."
Last year, Chile, New Zealand and France were the exclusive suppliers of apples for China, while pear shipments arrived from the United States, Mexico and Belgium.
This scenario, coupled with the signing of the Phytosanitary Protocol for the Export of Apples and Pears from Argentina to China, which was signed on July 18 between the Argentinean Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine during the recent visit of President Xi Jinping, will allow Argentine producers to become a part of the small club of suppliers of these fruits in China.
In 2013, China imported 38,724 tons of fresh apples worth $67.3 million, 37 and 27 percent less than in 2012, respectively, due to "the temporary suspension of imports for health reasons and the decrease of spendings on gifts from public officials during national holidays," according to a report of Argentina's embassy in China.
In the same period, imports of pears amounted to 3,766 tons worth $6.9 million dollars, i.e. 52 and 82 percent more, respectively, than in 2012.
Source: Telam economy