The Chinese inland city of Chongqing is emerging as a key destination for Chilean fruit exports. On October 22, during 2025 Chile Week in China, the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association and Chongqing Shuangfu Agricultural Products Wholesale Market Co., Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen trade ties, marking Chile's first major step into western China's consumer market.
For Chile, the world's largest cherry exporter, Chongqing provides access to inland markets with growing fruit consumption. "Chongqing's fruit consumption is rising faster than the national average," said Claudia Soler, Executive Director of the Chilean Cherry Committee. "We've seen a significant increase in online searches for Chilean cherries, showing that consumers here are eager to learn more about our products."
Soler added that Chile aims to make cherries part of daily diets. "We want cherries to be enjoyed at breakfast, dinner, or as a snack with friends," she said. "Chongqing could serve as a distribution hub for western China, helping us reach beyond coastal markets."
Under the agreement, Chilean exporters will visit Chongqing's wholesale markets, while local distributors will connect importers from across Southwest China with Chilean suppliers. Both sides also plan to exchange market information and launch promotional campaigns to raise awareness of Chilean fruit among Chinese consumers.
Iván Marambio, President of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, said that China remains central to Chile's fruit industry. "China accounts for more than 45 per cent of our total export value and over 28 per cent of our export volume," he said. "For cherries alone, demand in China is increasing at around 9 per cent every year."
He noted that Chile's advantage lies in its consistent supply. "Our cherries are firm, sweet, and of the highest quality. We're a dependable supplier capable of meeting large-scale demand, offering Chinese consumers some of the best fruit in the world."
According to the 2024/25 Chilean Fresh Fruit Statistics Handbook, China's cherry imports have grown by an average of 14 per cent annually over the past five years, with Chile accounting for nearly 98 per cent of those volumes. Marambio said China's expanding cold-chain logistics and e-commerce systems have improved inland distribution.
Given Chongqing's mountainous geography, online sales play a central role. "E-commerce and instant retail are vital here," said Soler. "We'll continue strengthening partnerships with local online platforms and improve our supply chain to meet the city's fast-evolving consumption habits."
From January to August 2025, total trade between Chile and Chongqing reached about US$333 million, up 5.3 per cent year on year. Chile's Ambassador to China, Pablo Arriarán, said the cooperation reflects the strengthening of agricultural trade between the two countries and expressed hope that Chongqing will serve as a gateway for Chilean fruit to reach western China's markets.
Source: iChong Qing
