The president of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (ASOEX), Ivan Marambio, and the general manager of the entity, Miguel Canala-Echeverría, met with the ambassador of Mexico in Chile, Alicia Barcena, and Adolfo Maldonado, of Mexico's verification office of origin, to analyze the status of the bilateral exchange of fresh fruits between both nations.
“Since I took office as president of Asoex, I have been particularly concerned about strengthening relations with the representatives of the countries where we send our fruits, with whom, in addition, we are united by a long history of positive bilateral relations in the exchange of fresh fruits, as is the case of Mexico. The meeting with the ambassador allowed us to analyze the issues that are of interest to our sector, such as the Systems Approach for our grapes exports to Mexico, which will increase our competitiveness, as well as the safeguarding of the quality and condition of our fruits in the Mexican market, which would benefit its inhabitants,” stated Ivan Marambio.
The president of ASOEX added that there is great potential to increase the exchange of fruits between both countries, especially after the president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, called on Latin American countries to join in order to enhance economic-commercial exchange, removing tariffs and barriers to ensure food for the people in Latin America. All this, within the framework of his “anti-inflationary plan with Latin American countries”.
It's also important to note that Mexico is the second country with which Chile signed a Free Trade Agreement and that this was the first of its kind that Mexico signed. The beginning of economic and commercial relations between Chile and Mexico dates back to 1991 when both countries signed an Economic Complementation Agreement, called ACE N° 17. The FTA between the two countries was signed in 1998 and entered into force in August 1999.
“Mexico is the fifth destination for our fresh fruits in the Latin American market, preceded by Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. Last season we shipped 37,141 tons of fresh fruits to the Mexican market, i.e. 14 percent more than in the previous season. All of which indicates that we can continue to grow in this market. Our phytosanitary agencies have excellent relationships and each season we have officials from Mexico's Directorate of Plant Health (DGV) in the country to verify compliance with the established export procedures,” stated Miguel Canala-Echeverria.
The general manager of ASOEX added that the main fruits that Chile sends to Mexico are: table grapes (accounting for 30% of the total), kiwis (17%), peaches (15%), apples (14%), nectarines (11%), plums (10%), and pears (2%).
For more information:
ASOEX
www.asoex.cl