Chile’s fruit exports to China grew dramatically in 2008, with a rise of 68 per cent in value over 2007 to hit US$98m, according to Chile’s agriculture minister Marigen Hornkohl.
Ms Hornkohl said grapes made up the lion’s share of the increase at 46 per cent of total exports, followed by apples at 21 per cent, cherries at 20 per cent and plums at 10 per cent, reported China View.
Cultural differences and geographical distance meant it was hard for Chilean exporters to enter the Chinese market, according to Ms Hornkohl.
“We are making efforts to innovate packing and maritime transportation technologies to guarantee the arrival of the fruit in good conditions,” she said.
Trade between the two countries has picked up significantly since the China-Chile Free Trade Agreement came into effect in October 2006.
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