Following 12 years of negotiations, Chile has signed an agreement to export citrus to Brazil. The deal paves the way for shipments of lemons, oranges and mandarins and provides Chile a welcome alternative to Northern Hemisphere markets.
Chilean agriculture minister Carlos Furche welcomed the agreement and highlighted the systemic expansion that the country’s citrus production has experienced in recent years.
“Brazil is one of our biggest markets in Latin America for fruit. In spite of having its own citrus industry, most of its production is destined for the juice market, so there are good opportunities for our citrus exports,” he said.
Furche noted that Brazil is the latest successful outcome in efforts by the government and private companies to expand Chile’s export horizons, which included recent visits to Russia, South Korea and China.
“Barring any unforeseen climatic incidents, the coming season is shaping up well and we hope to see dynamic growth in fruit exports,” he noted.
The US is the main destination for Chilean citrus, absorbing almost 80 per cent of total export volumes. Asia – principally Japan – accounts for another 10 per cent, while a further 6 per cent is sent to Europe. Chile has been one of the main beneficiaries of the growing demand for summer citrus among US consumers. Since the market opened in 2009 it has become the most important destination for Chilean Navels and easy peelers.
But with Peru’s citrus acreage expanding at a rapid rate – exports grew y 85.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 – shippers are likely to face stronger competition in the future.
Monserrat Valenzuela, manager of the Chilean Citrus Committee said opening new markets was the only way to ensure the sustained growth of the industry and was one of the committee’s top priorities.
“Right now we’re doing everything we can to support the Agriculture Ministry and National Agricultural and Livestock Service’s work to secure access to the Chinese market,” she said.
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