A group of inspectors from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) was in Chile almost two weeks ago verifying that the orchards and packing facilities comply with the protocols signed by both countries for the entry of Chilean peaches and apricots into the Chinese market. A common inspection procedure required by China to open its market and start exports.
"The opening of the Chinese market to Chilean peaches is a very good opportunity to strengthen the development of the Chilean agro-export sector. This opening implies new alternatives for producers and exporters of stone fruits given the high consumption demand that China has for this type of fruit. This market opening will also bring greater territorial development to the regions where the production of these fruits is concentrated, that is, between the regions of Coquimbo to La Araucanía," stated the Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela.
"The approval to start exporting our peaches and apricots to China is, without a doubt, great news for our industry. It showcases the close work that Frutas de Chile carries out with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural and Livestock Service, our Embassy in China, and the Customs of China, as well as the serious and committed work of our producers and exporters to comply with the agreed protocols so we can deliver this fruit with the quality and safety that the market and consumers expect. We are happy to be able to start exporting this fruit to China in this 2023-2024 season," stated Iván Marambio, the president of Frutas de Chile.
According to data from the Odepa-Ciren Fruit Cadastre, in 2022 the country had 1,851.2 hectares devoted to the production of peaches, concentrated in the O’Higgins Region with 53% and in the Valparaiso Region with 20% of the area. Chile has 528.3 hectares devoted to apricots, which are mainly located in the Valparaiso Region (39%) and the Metropolitan Region (32%).
In 2022, the country exported 270,000 tons of stone fruits; plums accounted for 59% of these exports, nectarines for 31%, peaches for 10%, and apricots for 0.38%. The main destinations were China with 134,000 tons (50%) and the United States with 52,000 tons (19%).
According to the SAG, the GACC has already published on its website the list of Chilean peach and apricot producers and packing facilities that are authorized to start exporting peaches and apricots to China.
Source: minagri.gob.cl