During the China International Fruit Expo, held in Shanghai from August 27 to 29, Chile Fruits signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kunming Haiguangxing Market Operation and Management Co., Ltd., a company from the Kunming fruit wholesale market in Yunnan Province, China.

Kunming Haiguangxing Market is a major distribution platform in southwest China, with significant influence in the Greater Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China) and Southeast Asia. It boasts a strong market expansion capability, complete cold-chain logistics facilities, and rich domestic and international channel resources.

Following the signing of this agreement, both parties recognized the enormous potential of the fruit consumption market in China and Southeast Asia, particularly the growing demand for high-quality imported fruits, as well as the excellent performance and broad prospects of Chilean fruits (such as cherries, grapes, plums, blueberries, among others) in that market.

"This agreement is very important because it allows us to gain access to Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities in China, which are important for the growth of our industry in the coming years. It's part of our market diversification strategy, but it's also key to strengthening the presence of Chilean fresh fruit in the southern Chinese market and into Southeast Asia," said the CEO. President of Frutas de Chile, Ivan Marambio.

Marambio added: “The truth is that we're working harder than ever, especially during the off-season. Today, the goal is to take action throughout the year, providing a lot of information to consumers and retailers about what we do and how we do it. We're very hopeful of a good season.”

For his part, the representative of Kunming Haiguangxing Market told News Frutas de Chile that "this agreement opens important opportunities for Chilean fruits to grow in our market, where there is still little presence, especially in cherries, which are the most important and sought-after fruits by consumers. So what we are going to work on is  open the market for Chilean fruit in southern China, where Chile will be able to  use our market to promote their fruits.

What does the Agreement say?

The MoU expresses the desire of both parties to establish a strategic partnership to fully leverage their respective strengths and jointly promote the trade, promotion, and sustainable development of Chilean fruits in the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets.

The agreement establishes the objectives of the cooperation as increasing the market share and influence of Chilean fruits in that market and Southeast Asia through the Kunming hub. It also establishes the "Kunming Haiguangxing Market" as a central platform for the entry of Chilean fruits into that region.

It also seeks to improve the efficiency of the supply chain and guarantee the freshness and quality of Chilean fruits from the source to the consumer market. It also seeks to jointly explore and address issues arising in the trade process, promoting and facilitating bilateral fruit trade.

To this end, Frutas de Chile and Kunming Haiguangxing will establish a regular communication mechanism to exchange information on fruit production, market conditions, price dynamics, consumption trends, quarantine and inspection policies and regulations, among others.

This MoU will also encourage visits by representatives from the Kunming Haiguangxing Market to Chile and by Frutas de Chile and its partners to this wholesale market in China, in addition to mutual support at relevant industry fairs and forums.

Finally, to monitor the agreement, both parties will meet once a year, where the cooperation plan for the following year will also be updated.

 Photography Fruits of Chile