The Chilean prune industry has achieved entry to the Chinese market in “record time” thanks to the efforts made by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture and Chile’s phytosanitary agency SAG in conjunction with the Chilean Association of Prune Producers and Exporters (Apecs).
According to a statement from Apecs, the “enormous potential” presented by China is a source of much optimism for the organisation’s members.
“In terms of prunes, there are many challenges in the Chinese market,” explained Apecs president of the board Pedro Pablo Díaz.
“It’s an extensive market with a large population and a high consumption of prunes. The possibilities are really endless and this move represents the first step.
According to Apecs vice-president and Prunesco general manager Héctor Claro, the arrivals of the first containers in China is the result of three year of promotions of Chilean products and brands in the country.
Apecs claims Chile is the leading exporter of prunes in the world, currently supplying more than 70 countries – mainly Mexico, Germany, Brazil, Poland and Italy.
Last year, Chilean prune exports exceeded 67,000 tonnes (worth some US$125m), a figure which should reach 71,000 tonnes in 2011.
By 2015, Apecs forecasts production to surpass 100,000 tonnes.
“We have a big challenge as an industry to support this growth with the opening of new markets, but at the same time offering exports of high quality,” explained Andrés Rodríguez, executive vice-president of Apecs.
Apecs represent 85 per cent of all prune exports from Chile.
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