Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Chile's main cherry exporter credits fast-growing business to Chinese market

China

China

China

Chile's main cherry exporter credits fast-growing business to Chinese market

2024-11-10 16:55 Last Updated At:17:37

The president of Chile's main cherry exporter Garces Fruit has attributed the development of the country's cherry business to the fast-growing demand in China, expressing willingness to further expand cooperation with Chinese partners.

This year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Peru. As APEC members, China and Chile have a long history of friendly exchanges. In recent years, economic and trade relations between the two countries have strengthened, particularly with Chilean cherries gaining popularity in the Chinese market.

Speaking with China Global Television Network (CGTN) ahead of APEC, Hernan Garces, the president of Garces Fruit, shared the remarkable journey of Chilean cherry in the Chinese market.

He said the company began exporting cherries to China in 1997. Following the signing of the China-Chile Free Trade Agreement in 2005, bilateral trade between the two countries saw explosive growth, which played a key role in helping the fruit establish a strong presence in the Chinese market.

"Chinese consumer demand for Chilean cherries has let our business continue to develop. We have been growing and focusing on nurturing better varieties and products with better quality. The Chilean cherry business benefits from the development of China," said the cherry exporter.

Garces' company has approximately 70,000 hectares of cherry orchards. Boasting a majestic mountain range, abundant water resources, and a favorable climate environment, the area is ideal for cherry production, allowing the fruit to develop rich colors and exceptional flavor.

Ignacio Pizarro is a staff member at the production department of Garces Fruit. His job is to ensure the products of the cherry orchards meet the standards for export.

"Here we make sure that the cherries meet harvest parameters, practically in terms of color and size. The cherry is an amazing fruit. Its color, size, and the shape of different varieties, as well as its taste, are all reasons for us to be proud. I feel proud to be able to get involved in the whole process of producing this beautiful and delicious fruit from the beginning to the end," said Pizarro.

According to Garces, Cherries are not only a source of pride for Chilean agriculture but also symbolize good fortune in Chinese culture. He said the company is keen to continue the trade relations with Chinese partners to bring higher-quality fruit to Chinese consumers.

"This large, crunchy and red fruit means a lot to Chinese people. It represents purity, eternity, and good luck. The development of the Chilean cherry industry in recent years makes us eternally grateful for our Chinese consumers. We are lucky to have a business partner like China and be able to develop this cherry business in Chile to meet the demands of the Chinese markets. This is a long-term cooperative relationship that we have built over 27 years of trade. In the case of cherries, China is by far our best business partner," the company president said.

Chilean cherries are increasingly favored by Chinese consumers over the years. Over the past seven years, Chilean cherry exports to China have grown at an approximate annual average rate of 29 percent.

Growing demand in the Chinese market has spurred the expansion of Chile's cherry planting area and benefited local farmers. From 2000 to 2022, the total cherry planting area in Chile grew from 3,241 hectares to 61,559 hectares, according to data from Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies.

Chile's main cherry exporter credits fast-growing business to Chinese market

Chile's main cherry exporter credits fast-growing business to Chinese market

Next Article

Grain, Agricultural Cooperation Conference kicks off in Henan

2024-11-21 22:24 Last Updated At:22:37

A major conference on grain and agricultural cooperation opened Thursday in Zhengzhou City of central China's Henan Province, aiming to enhance strategic partnership and deepen agricultural cooperation between Henan and ASEAN countries.

Government officials, ambassadors to China, business association representatives and entrepreneurs from ASEAN countries have gathered to participate in this two-day event, with the goal of enhancing agricultural investment, strengthening regional connectivity and promoting bilateral trade.

"This conference gathers the Asian member states together with China. We build our agriculture sector to get it stronger, to become a driving force for this food security, for the stability, the social stability and also sustainability," said Hong Narit, director of Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia.

Henan is one of China's major grain-producing regions, accounting for a quarter of the country's wheat output. During the conference, participating companies from ASEAN countries engaged in targeted discussions with Henan's leading enterprises through "one-on-one" business matchmaking meetings to explore potential cooperation projects.

"My country is tropical season, so it's different fruits we need. So we can make some exchanges better about our products. We can come enter to China, and then from China to Indonesia," said Hotman Fajar Simanjuntak, director general of Horticulture branch under the Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia. Representatives from Henan and ASEAN countries also pledged to strengthen their commitment to international cooperation aimed at eradicating hunger and reducing poverty.

"China program on poverty eradication has been very impressive. It should be a model that should be followed by everyone around," said Pehin Dato Haji Abdu'r Rahmani bin Dato Haji Basir, Bruneian Ambassador to China.

The conference will include a series of high-profile events, such as grain and agricultural product exhibitions and industry cooperation promotions.

Grain, Agricultural Cooperation Conference kicks off in Henan

Grain, Agricultural Cooperation Conference kicks off in Henan

Recommended Articles