In 2013, the value of Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to Chile amounted to 57,000 Euro, while imports amounted to 79.3 million Euro, highlighting the strong imbalance in the trade of fruit and vegetables within this country. The same happens at community level, as the EU fruit and vegetables exports to Chile in 2013 stood at 406,000 Euro, while imports amounted to 920.6 million Euro.
The entry into the Association Agreement between the EU and Chile in February 2003 hasn't corrected the community sector's negative balance. In contrast, the progression of EU imports has been much higher than that of exports. The value of EU imports of fruit and vegetables has increased from 439 million Euro in 2002 to 920,600,000 Euro in 2013; i.e. 481.6 million Euro more. Meanwhile EU exports to Chile are still almost symbolic figures, as they went from 56,000 Euro in 2002 to 406,000 Euro in 2013, despite the existing counter season that could provide the EU with the opportunity of exporting certain products.
Spanish exports to Chile are mainly comprised of table grapes, which amounted to 56,000 Euro in 2013, i.e. 98% of total fruit and vegetable exports to this country. Span mainly imports apples from Chile, buying 28.3 million.
The EU also mainly exports grapes to Chile. In 2013 they exported 274 million Euro in grapes to the Latin American country, i.e. 67% of total exports. The grape is also the fruit most imported by the EU from Chile, with 306.9 million Euro, followed by apples and pears, with 272.9 million Euro.
For FEPEX, the data highlights an imbalance in the horticultural trade between Spain and the EU with Chile, a tendency with most third countries outside Europe. While EU imports grow strong, exports are still moving in small volumes, and the partnership agreements bring very small increases, as in the case with Chile.
Despite the agreements, non-tariff barriers remain in most third countries, while the EU market is fully globalized.
Chile is news in Spain these days because of the state visit that President Michelle Bachelet conducted on October 29 and 30.
Source: FEPEX