The Chilean cherry industry kicked off the 2021-2022 season accompanied by the Chinese ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao, representative of the main destination for Chilean cherries, but also of a nation with which Chile has a long history of friendship and cooperation.
Ambassador Qingbao highlighted these ties of friendship. "China is an important market for many Chilean products, especially cherries, 90% of which are intended for the Chinese market. China is a market that will continue to grow and will also be increasingly open to the world's products. There is strong competition in the Chinese market, as many countries produce what we need and want, but consumers seek to buy products from friendly countries. Chile and China have a special relationship of friendship. Chile was the first country in South America to recognize the new China and the first to establish a Free Trade Agreement with China. Thus, in spite of the great competition in the Chinese cherry market, Chinese consumers have a special affection for Chilean products."
For his part, Ronald Bown, president of ASOEX, said that the ties of friendship that unite the Chinese and Chilean people have been strengthened by the presence of the Chinese ambassador at such an important moment for the Chilean fruit industry as the start of a new cherry season.
Bown added that for this new season, the cherry industry is "working on a big promotional campaign aimed at boosting the presence of cherries in different cities and regions of China. At the same time, we are also focused on ensuring compliance with the protocols established with China in order to provide consumers with quality and safe fruit.
The conference was organized by ASOEX, together with the Cherry Committee, and was held at the headquarters of Garces Fruits, located in San Francisco de Mostazal.
New season
Regarding the problems suffered by cherry exports last season, China's ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao, said: "Last year, due to the pandemic, cherry exports suffered some obstacles. However, this year the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture and other institutions have made many preparations for the new season. They have worked together with the Chinese authorities, especially on remote virus inspection and other issues, so there should be no technical obstacles in these matters. We hope that Chilean cherry shipments this season will be very successful."
For more information:
Asoex
www.asoex.cl