On January 1, 2024, Chile and South Korea started using ePhyto or Electronic Phytosanitary Certification for their trade, allowing both countries to take advantage of all the benefits that the initiative entails to facilitate trade and improve the management of plant health.
"This is great news for our fresh fruit exports to South Korea, as this type of certification will save the public and private sectors time and resources. Chile is the first South American country to which South Korea approved the use of electronic phytosanitary certification. In addition to Chile, this country is working with this system only with Thailand, the European Union, and China," stated Miguel Canala-EcheverrÃa, general manager of Frutas de Chile.
"The implementation of ePhytos eliminates the sending of paper certificates to the destination port, as well as document losses, and re-issuance of certificates due to changes in ports, importers, or other reasons. In addition, these certificates provide greater security, since they can't be adulterated, they improve traceability and allow exporters to respond faster to unforeseen events that may arise during the export process."
Canala-EcheverrÃa stressed that this achievement in Korea is key to advancing the implementation of ePhytos for shipments of Chilean fruits in all destination markets. "Today, there are markets where we make 100% of our exports using electronic phytosanitary certification, such as the United States, Canada, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, only 13% of the shipments that we make to the Far East are made under this system. Achieving the implementation of ePhyto in 100% of the destination markets could mean savings for the sector of the order of USD 100 million per year."
Certification and exports
According to information from the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), in 2023 this entity issued 3,916 phytosanitary certificates to Korea, with table grapes being the main exported product.
According to statistics from Frutas de Chile, during the 2022-2023 season, Chile sent more than 33,000 tons of fresh fruits to South Korea. Of this amount, 51% were table grapes, 20% cherries, 16% lemons, 10% blueberries, and 2% avocados, in addition to kiwis and oranges. The entry of fresh Chilean plums into this market is currently being negotiated.
Source: asoex.cl