Chilean blueberries

The first consignment of Chilean blueberries is winging its way to Shanghai following clearance from Chinese officials.

According to a report by Fresh Fruit Portal, Chilean exporter Frusan has sent 220 cartons of the fruit to China, via Sydney, Australia. The consignment is expected to arrive over the weekend.

Chinese Inspector Wu Jiajiao from the Guangdong Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center Plant Quarantine Lab, who cleared the first shipments during a trip to Chile, praised the work of the country’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).

“With blueberries we think the fruit is very good, and above all from the inspection we are very trusting that SAG know about the biological agents that would constitute a risk for China, and that makes us very relaxed.”

Wu was unable to state how long it would take for fruit to make it to supermarket shelves on arrival in China, but pointed out the country had established a ‘green route’ to fast-track sendings with pre-application documentation.

“This means that the fruit arrives and already has all of the documents to put it under inspection – they check all of this, and if they comply with Chinese requirements, then they can start the inspection,” he told the news source.

“In China the new inspection system is characterized by speed in four ways – speed in presenting applications, speed in inspection approval, speed in certification and speed in release," he added. “The time could be within 24 hours, but that’s one working day.”

Frusan agronomist Gloria Vidal said exporting blueberries to China presented many challenges for the company and it would take time to increase volumes.

“It’s a new product in China, a product that Chinese consumers have to get to know, it has to please them and from there the issue is difficult still,” she said.

“It’s like with cherries. We have been growing rapidly with cherries but it’s been the work of many years. It’s not as if tomorrow we’re going to say we have 200 containers – it’s been a year-by-year job.”

She pointed out, however, China presented a strong future for the Chilean industry. “Today a large proportion of berries go to the US, today the US market is slightly depressed and we don’t know what is going to happen with the economy. China on the other hand is still booming, will continue absorbing agricultural products and that’s where our bet is strong.”

Owen Ou of Chinese importer Dalian Yidu told Asiafruit there had been strong growth in the category there and consumer recognition was increasing. “We imported three containers in 2009, increased to 30 containers in 2010 and I expect a total of 120 containers this season,” he told the publication.

According to Chilean Blueberry Committee general manager Andres Armstrong there was strong interest in Chilean fruit from buyers in China at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica. “Two years ago it was hard to find anyone interested in Chilean blueberries, but since last year we’ve really felt a difference,” he told Asiafruit.

The magazine reported in November, however, stipulations in the protocol regarding harvesting, field preparation and farm inspection and regulation presented significant challenges for the Chilean industry, which it was working to address.