In order to find opportunities for Chilean fruit in new markets within China, a group of representatives from six Chilean fruit exporters visited the Fruit Market of Hangzhou.
The visit was part of the "Tour to Asia", which is organised by the Association of Exporters of Fruits of Chile AG, ASOEX, together with ProChile, and which involves "Survey Missions" and participation in the fairs "Flavours of Chile!" in Shanghai, from 1 to 2 September, and Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, from 3 to 5 September.
Chilean representatives toured the Fruit Market of Hangzhou to find out first hand in what condition does the fruit arrive and is distributed. They held a meeting with leading importers and distributors of this Chinese fruit market; meeting which allowed them to showcase the range of Chilean fruits, as well as their quality, and food safety.
Hangzhou is the capital and largest city of the Zhejiang Province in China, with a population of about 9 million people.
Ronald Bown, president of ASOEX, said: "This type of survey is the result of a joint effort between the public and private sector, through which we seek to open new and greater opportunities for our fruits in such an important market as Asia, especially China and South Korea."
The Chinese market
China has become one of the most important destinations for Chilean exports and the main market worldwide. This country, with which Chile signed an FTA in 2006, has a population of over 1,300 million, of which 23 million live in Shanghai.
The growth in food exports to China has steadily increased, rising by 29% between 2011 and 2012, and by 36% between 2012 and 2013. Since 2010, a number of Chilean products, such as blueberries, dried plums, shelled nuts and raisins, have successfully been authorised for entry.
The list will soon include avocados, whose official entry clearance will be approved as part of the Official Tour of the Ministry of Agriculture in which ASOEX also takes part and which is focused on China and South Korea.
Source: El Economista
