The Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (ASOEX) celebrated the signing of an important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Food and Native Products (CCCFNA), which will consolidate and deepen cooperation and communication between both nations regarding the production, export and import of fresh fruits.

The memorandum of understanding was signed virtually on July 17, 2020 by Ronald Bown, President of ASOEX, from Santiago de Chile; and Xu Xiaohu, Vice President of CCCFNA, from Beijing in China.

The MOU will promote collaboration in a number of strategic areas, as well as the exchange of information for the benefit of the Chilean and Chinese fresh fruit industries.

Under the agreement, ASOEX and CCCFNA agree:

1. Support trade visits between Chile and China for representatives of each association;

2. Exchange technology and technical expertise;

3. Exchange statistical data (export and import), regulatory legislation, information on customs procedures; and

4. Support advertising and promotional activities, when appropriate.

Ronald Bown, president of Asoex, stated: “China has become a very important market for Chilean fresh fruits and we felt it was necessary to formalize our current way of working. ASOEX maintains constant contact and work with CCCFNA in order to guarantee the continuity of our exports, either by sharing information or solving problems. This landmark Memorandum of Understanding represents a formal acknowledgment of that existing collaboration. In addition, it will provide an official framework to work under by clearly setting out the areas in which we will exchange support. During these uncertain and challenging times, it has never been more important to facilitate and enhance our cooperation with China."

For his part, Xu Xiaohu, Vice President of CCCFNA, added: “On behalf of the Chinese fresh produce industry, our association is in close contact with international organizations, such as ASOEX, to coordinate our exchanges at the highest level. We have already been collaborating informally regarding new regulations introduced during the pandemic. This MOU will serve as an important gateway to promote and strengthen this joint work."

According to the agreement, ASOEX and CCCFNA will support the visits of the delegations of any of the associations to understand and evaluate the inner workings of the fresh fruit industries of both nations.

In technological matters, both organizations will exchange their experience in various areas, such as production, for example, to benefit the development of the production of different temperate fruits in China during the low season in Chile. ASOEX will provide information and contacts regarding the best practices that are being implemented, currently in Chile.

Regarding the exchange of data and information, organizations will work together to ensure full awareness of all import requirements for fresh fruit. For example, after the recent opening of the Chinese market to Chilean citrus, the MOU will facilitate communication on the different customs requirements and the condition of the first arrivals, among other details.

Regarding promotional support, when conducting marketing initiatives in China, ASOEX will closely coordinate with CCCFNA to exchange ideas, obtain information and encourage the participation of both parties to maximize the overall impact of promotional activities in the Chinese market, as well as for the members of CCCFNA.

Likewise, ASOEX and CCCFNA will establish a working group made up of at least one representative from each association to direct and supervise the agreed areas of collaboration, as established by the MOU.

China remains by far Chile's largest export market in Asia. According to ASOEX data, Chile exported 449.575 metric tons of fresh fruit to China during the 2018-2019 season, with an increase of 16,62 percent compared to the previous season (2017-2018).

Of this total, cherries were the main export product during the 2018-19 season (157,812 tons), closely followed by table grapes (106,923 tons, in addition to plums (76,580 tons), apples (40,294 tons), kiwi ( 21,483 tons), nectarines (20.063 tons), avocados (14.736 tons), blueberries (9.913 tons) and pears (1.771 tons).

Since 2018, Chile has established itself as the main supplier of fresh fruit to China in terms of value. During the first two months of 2020, once again, Chile ranked as the world's largest supplier of fresh fruit to China in terms of value.