Agriculture minister for Canada, Gerry Ritz, met with his Chinese counterpart Han Changfu to formalise agreements on agricultural trade between the two countries.
As well as increased market access for Canadian exports of beef, live cattle and blueberries, an agreement was signed allowing British Columbian (BC) cherries full market access to China.
Negotiations have been in the works for more than six years, with Canadian cherries gaining full access to the world’s largest cherry market following a trial shipment of BC cherries to China in 2013. China’s quarantine officials had requested the cold treatment of cherries to manage fruit flies, but Canada’s quarantine department have proven its own procedures, such as using a brown sugar solution, are effective in pest control.
In 2013, 450 tonnes of BC cherries were shipped to China, with expectations for a full season of shipments set as high as 3,000-4,000 tonnes this year.
“The expanded market access we agreed to will ensure out agriculture producers and processors are competitive in the lucrative Chinese market,” said Ritz in a press release. “By promoting Canada’s food and agriculture sector as a reliable and safe supplier for choice for Chinese consumers, we are making sure our agriculture industry will continue to drive the Canadian economy.”
The BC cherry season extends after the US northwest cherry season, allowing Canadian exporters to benefit from key periods of demand in China, such as the Moon Festival.
“The fact the Canadian cherries can now come direct to China, and into major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, is excellent news,” Owen Ou of Dalian Yidu told Fruitnet during the trail shipments last year. “We see very good opportunities for them in China. They’re later than America and local cherries, they’re available for the Moon Festival, and their quality is near perfect.”
BC Cherry Association joined the trade mission that took place from 14-20 June, promoting BC cherries and marketers in Beijing and Guangzhou.
'I want to congratulate the hard work of the federal government in advancing BC cherry exports during this important trade mission in China,” said BC agriculture minister Norm Letnick in a press release. “This new export arrangement provides an incredible opportunity for BC cherry growers as we continue to build on already record setting exports of B.C. agrifoods to China.'
Canadian cherries are already exported to South East Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, popular due to their high-quality and late availability compared to US cherries.
