The 25th of November was the first day of the 'Chilean week' in Beijing. The sixth edition of the 'Chilean week' is a hybrid event that combines online and in-person activities. The activities cover a wide range of topics including trade, investment, economic development, travel, culture, and food. The first edition took place in 2015 and was a great success. This year Beijing hosts the sixth edition.
One of the key products in this 'Chilean week' is the cherry. The first Chilean cherries of the season were air-freighted to China in late October. The months of October, November, and December are quiet months for the Chinese cherry industry, and the shelves are empty. Chilean cherries neatly fill this gap in the market. Traders fought to get their hands on the first boxes of cherries that marked the beginning of the Chilean cherry season in the Chinese market. The price of a 5kg box of Chilean cherries was around 700-1,200 yuan [109-187 USD] at the beginning of the season. The overall export volume of Chilean cherries in the 2021/2022 season is expected to grow by 9.8% compared to the previous season. That is a total of 387,268 tons. China is still the largest export market for Chilean cherry suppliers. However, the Chinese share of Chilean cherry export is estimated to decline from 91% to 87%.
The Chilean blueberry export season follows closely on the heels of the Chilean cherry season, and will officially begin in week 49. The first sea-freight blueberries will enter the Chinese market in December. This year the season is slightly delayed due to cold weather, but some suppliers were able to bring fresh blueberries for the start of the 'Chilean week'.
In addition to cherries and blueberries, which are now in season, Chile also exports avocados, kiwi fruit, stone fruits, grapes, and citrus fruits. Chinese consumers love Chilean fruits.
