The year 2023 will be a year of adaptation and adjustment to the new conditions, says Iván Marambio, president of the Chilean Association of Fruit Exporters (Asoex). With cherries, table grapes and blueberries from this South American country being shipped to world markets, the recovery of the global economy is top of mind for him.

“2023 will continue to be a year of adaptation and adjustment to the new conditions of a global market emerging from a pandemic, with depressed economies and budget constraints on families around the world. In this scenario, we expect global markets to start showing signs of recovery, especially during the second half of the year, but 2023 is very likely to be a year of transition, so we must be prepared."

Chile, the world leader in the production and export of cherries, has seen a doubling in the first export volumes during the first two months of the campaign with 95% destined for China. The Chinese New Year festival is the earliest it has ever been and provides a much shorter window for Chile to land and sell its much sought after product. After shipping delays and challenges during the last season of 2021/2022, Asoex responded with more urgency to ensure a smoother flow of ships and containers for the current season. They also work closely with the Chinese authorities to ensure efficient inspections and arrivals. There is also a huge marketing campaign going on in supermarkets, both online and offline, in China to boost sales.

Working to facilitate access to the US market

“Asoex, together with growers and exporters, is working hard on several fronts to improve market access for their fruit. During this season we will be focused on improving market access conditions for our fruits. Thus, for example, we hope that at the end of this season the Systems Approach will be approved so that the grapes produced in the central-north zone of our country can enter the US market without the fumigation requirement, which will undoubtedly boost competitiveness. of our exports to that market”.

First sustainability report of the Chilean fruit industry scheduled for 2023

On the other hand, and considering world trends, we have decided to advance in sustainability and we hope to have, by the end of 2023, the first sustainability report of the Chilean fruit industry, which will allow us to show where we are as an industry and what our ESG commitments will be. in the long term”, concluded Marambio.