Chilean blueberry exports have gained access to mainland China after more than two years of efforts by both public and private authorities in both countries, according to a press release from the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters’ Association (Asoex).
The news was confirmed yesterday evening (Thursday 9 June), during this week’s visit to Chile of China’s Vice-President Xi Jinping.
The official entry protocol was signed by China’s Vice-Minister Wei Chuanzhong of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and Chile’s Minister of Agriculture José Antonio Gallilea, in a ceremony presided over by the Vice-President Xi Jinping and Chile's President, Sebastian Piñera.
“We are delighted with the news of this mutually beneficial and successful conclusion, of the opening up of the Chinese market for our blueberry exports,” explained Ronald Bown, chairman of the board at Asoex – the association which was directly involved in the negotiating process on the part of the private sector.
“This represents an important step forward in diversifying the exports of blueberries, and which today will strengthen Chile’s position as the leading exporter of blueberries from the Southern Hemisphere.
“Chile is the first country in the world to gain access for its blueberry exports, given the close ties forged between both nations and the strict phytosanitary conditions which prevail in Chile.”
Mr Bown also acknowledged the efforts of Chile’s public sector for their support in this negotiation process.
“We would like to sincerely thank the Ministry of Agriculture, Chile’s phytosanitary agency (SAG) and the Embassy of Chile in China, with whom we have worked side-by-side in this important initiative,” he said.
Negotiations to gain access to the Chinese market for Chilean blueberries started two years ago, and included a series of exchanges of technical protocols and the visit of numerous trade and governmental delegations between both countries.
“The industry has grown significantly during the past seasons, and the opening up of direct exports to China is an opportunity for the industry to increase presence in Asia, which today only represents a small proportion of total exports 3 per cent,” noted Felipe Juillerat, president of the Chilean Blueberry Committee.
“During the 2010/2011 season we exported more than 6,800 tonnes of fresh blueberries across the globe, a 40 per cent increase in comparison to last season.”
By 2014/15, Mr Juillerat said this volume is expected to reach approximately 110,000 tonnes, driven mainly by growth from existing plantations, whose production is expected to come into full capacity during the next few seasons.
To raise awareness of the availability of Chilean blueberries in Chile, the sector, together with the support of ProChile and the Embassy of Chile in China, plans to roll out a series of promotions during the coming season (2011/12).
The activities will be carried out with local importers and distributors, and also aim to facilitate distribution during the season, according to Andres Armstrong, manager of the Chilean Blueberry Committee.
