After a series of successful talks between the representatives of the two countries, Chile is expected to export its pears for the first time to the Chinese market next year. The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association said that the two sides reached an "important agreement" to speed up the market access process. The talks also discussed topics such as avocado exports, frozen product exports and electronic certification in areas affected by flies.
Regarding the entry of Chilean pears into Chinese market, the two sides reached an agreement on pests and certain plant quarantine measures. It is expected that an export agreement will be prepared in September with a view to receiving Chinese inspectors in December. It is expected that the export of pears will begin in March 2019. Fresh grapes, cherries, plums, kiwis, apples, blueberries and nectarines currently entering the Chinese market from Chile are worth $231 million in season 2016-2017.