Chile consolidates as China's leading supplier of fresh fruit

According to information published by the Customs of China, Chile was China's main supplier of fresh…

According to information published by the Customs of China, Chile was China's main supplier of fresh fruits in 2018 in terms of export value, surpassing other countries, such as Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, United States, South Africa, and Peru, among others.

The information highlights that the total imports of fresh fruits made by China in 2018, reached a total of USD $ 6,944,519,019, a figure that was led by Chile with USD $ 1,682,382,182.

"Consolidating, for the second year in a row, Chile's position as the main exporter of fresh fruits to China fills us with pride. It reflects the efforts made by the Chilean fruit industry to supply Chinese consumers with quality fruit; as well as the serious and constant public-private work that has been done for years to improve the income conditions of Chilean fruit, in matters associated with the access of new products, tariff issues, and promotions that encourage consumption," said Ronald Bown, the President of ASOEX.

"Together with our authorities, we are focusing our efforts to achieve access to new products. We are working to end the process for the entry of our pears, and to start the technical negotiations for the entry of citrus fruits. We shipped more than 385 thousand tons of fresh fruit to China in the 2017-2018 season, 66% more than in the last season."

During the 2017-2018 season, Chile exported a total of 385,516 tons of fresh fruits to China, i.e. 66.46% more than in the 2016-2017 period. Exports were led by cherries, with a 41.4% share of total shipments of Chilean fruit to China, table grapes (30.8% of the total), plums (10.7%), nectarines (4.3%), kiwis (4.2%), avocados (3.2%), apples (2.9%) and blueberries (2.5%).

Other origins
According to the information from the Chinese Customs, Thailand is China's second biggest supplier of fresh fruits with USD $,661,643,451. It is followed by the Philippines (USD $ 731,458,726) and Vietnam (USD $ 719,352,519), which mainly supply tropical fruits to the Asian Giant.

The list also includes New Zealand (USD $ 441,968,952), Australia (USD $ 329,877,390), the United States (USD $ 269,308,923), South Africa ($ 232,193,540), Peru (USD $ 225,011,980), and Ecuador (USD $ 149,792,872).