Only a handful of Spanish exporters have shown interest in the Chinese citrus market since the phytosanitary export protocol was signed by both countries’ ministries of agriculture earlier this year, it has emerged.
Five out of a potential 500 Spanish exporters have applied for instructions on the functions of the protocol.
Only one exporter from the five companies was present personally, while the other four sent technical representatives.
The widespread dissatisfaction in the Spanish citrus market and the high official expectations from both the government and the industry regarding the opening of the Chinese market for Spanish oranges and mandarins show a sharp contrast to the actual interest from export companies to make use of the commercial opportunity.
The Spanish government has stated that the export potential to China would amount to 400,000 tonnes. Spain is already the number one citrus exporter in the world.
Exporting to Asian destinations, including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan, would take the pressure off the European market. But Spanish exporters are concerned that the logistics process, which takes about a month, could have a detrimental effect on the condition in which the fruit would arrive.
The opening of the Japanese and South Korean market has also so far failed to tempt a substantial number of Spanish citrus exporters.
