On the inaugural day of the Chile Week event in Beijing, the contribution of China Eastern Airlines to the transportation of Chilean exports to China was spotlighted. The event underscored the growth in China's intake of Chile's forestry and livestock products, which has escalated from 13% in 2013 to 30% in 2023. Ignacia Fernández Gatica, Chile's Undersecretary of Agriculture, highlighted that in the previous year, Chile's exports of forestry and agricultural goods to China amounted to US$ 5.444 billion, with cherries making up US$ 2,221 million of this figure.
The first charter flight for the new Chilean cherry season by China Eastern took off on Nov. 18 from Santiago to Shanghai, with a stop in Los Angeles, carrying 76 tons of cherries. This flight marked the beginning of the 2024-2025 cherry season's shipments to China, which arrived by sea on Oct. 12. The exports of Chilean cherries to China are expected to witness a nearly 60% increase from the previous season.
Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative by China in 2013, China Eastern has been instrumental in transporting fresh Chilean produce to China, initiating the "fruit charter flight" during the 2014 cherry season. Over the past decade, the airline has been a key player in establishing the "Air Silk Road," significantly increasing the number of cherry charter flights.
China Eastern's efforts have diversified Chilean exports to China, extending beyond cherries and blueberries to include a variety of fresh and dried fruits, pork products, and salmon. In recent developments, China Eastern launched a charter route for salmon transportation and initiated a new cargo route between Miami, USA, and Ezhou, China. The airline's collaboration with LATAM Airlines has enhanced the efficiency and safety of Chilean agricultural products reaching Chinese consumers.
With 90% of Chilean cherries sold to China annually, China Eastern plays a pivotal role in their air transport. The airline plans to import approximately 12,000 tons of Chilean cherries in the 2024-2025 season, utilizing both air and sea freight. The 2024 Chile Week aims to further strengthen trade relations between Chile and China, extending its activities to Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu.
Source: MercoPress