Chile and China finally signed the protocol that allows the export of Chilean unshelled nuts to the Asian giant, which opens the way for the South American country to become a strategic partner and nut supplier for China.
Andrés Rodríguez, president of the Chilean Nut Commission, said the protocol to export unshelled nuts to China was a first step for the export of nuts to this market.
Now, the country has to continue moving forward in the negotiations to open the market for shelled nuts, considering only about 10% of the 150,000 tons of nuts that China imports are shelled nuts.
"We were able to negotiate this protocol faster because the shelled nuts were treated as a processed product by the AQSIQ," said the executive.
"However, we are aware that, ultimately, this is still a low percentage of the total potential we have to export to China. Currently, China doesn't import more than 10% of unshelled nuts, "he added.
Rodriguez said that signing a protocol for shelled nuts was one of Chile's priorities in its negotiations with China.
"We need to make further progress in these negotiations. I think we have to wait a few years to make this happen. We, as an association, are working closely with the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) and the Ministry of Agriculture to make this happen as soon as possible."
According to the executive, Chile has all it takes to become a strategic partner and supplier of nuts for China, thanks to factors that come together on behalf of their country.
"Even though China is currently the largest producer of nuts, with about 700,000 tons, it is also the world's largest importer and its imports have been growing over time," he said.
He also noted that Chile's production and exports had also been growing, and that the free trade agreement between both countries gave Chile an easier access to the Asian market.
"Everything indicates that, regarding nut exports, we should become a strategic partner for China in the short term," Rodriguez said.
Data
The agreement was reached in the context of the tour that the Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Furche, and representatives of producing and exporting associations of various Chilean fruit and vegetables, including the Chilean Walnut Commission, carried out in China and South Korea.
Source: Fresh Fruit Portal