The trading post in Shenzhen currently is the first choice as a port of entry for Chilean cherries. According to statistics from the customs in Shenzhen city (Guangdong province), from November 2016 to March 2017, domestic imports of Chilean cherries reached a new record of 75600 tons. This is 25% more than last year. Imports passing through the trading post in Shenzhen totalled 61000 tons, which accounts for 80% of all Chilean imported cherries. This has increased by 41%.
Shenzhen has become the first choice for importing cherries from Chile because its geographical position is so advantageous. A staff member from the customs in Shenzhen explains that the Shenzhen trading post is adjacent to the two big cities of Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Hong Kong is an international shipping hub and there are frequent flights between Chile and Hong Kong, especially around the period of Chinese New Year. The Chilean federation for transport pushed for direct flights to Hong Kong, which caused the shipping period to be 7 days shorter than in the past. This has a positive impact on both the freshness and the market price of the cherries. Guangzhou is nowadays the main domestic distribution center for cherries and sells more than 90% of all imported cherries. Almost all cherries entering via the customs in Shenzhen are transported to Guangdong to be collected and prepared for distribution.