The Coronavirus broke out in China, one of Chile's most important fruit markets, during the Spring Festival. In response, the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (Asoex) has been monitoring Chile's fresh fruit exports to Asian markets.
According to the organization, the epidemic has not caused problems with fruit shipments to Asia. "Our export activities are normal so far. However, we are monitoring the potential impact of coronavirus to our partners, commercial agents as well as consumption, especially in China, the market that is most affected by this disease, to which we export cherries, table grapes, apples, plums, kiwi, nectarines, avocados, blueberries, and pears. We also hope to start exporting citrus to this market this year, " said Ronald Bown, president of the association.
Chilean cherries are a main import product during the Chinese New Year. Chile has exported 228,225 tons of cherries to China so far, an increase of 27.7% over the same period in 2018-2019. "A lot of our cherries were sold before the Spring Festival and we will also export some other fruit after the holiday, to balance out the impact of coronavirus. We know that retail sales have slowed down, but sales at online and delivery platforms are going up,” Bown added.
The Asoex president also stated that they will continue to monitor the situation in all markets and will release updates.
Source: chilecn.com