Chile and Turkey are preparing to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the middle of this year, in a move which is expected to significantly boost the potential for trade expansion between the two countries, according to the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA).
“Turkey is a huge country and its retail structure is changing every year,” said Christian Carvajal, CFFA’s Europe and Asia marketing manager.
“Importers are now aware of the potential for doing business with Chile and some of the major growers in Turkey are expanding and will probably become importers themselves as the demand for year-round supply of fruit continues to grow.”
CFFA said Chile exported 9,277 tonnes of fresh fruits and nuts to Turkey last season, marking an already significant increase of 138.05 per cent (or 5,300 tonnes) in comparison to 2007/08, despite restrictive tariffs.
In preparation for the agreement, Chile’s fresh fruit export sector participated for the second time at Fresh Antalya on 18-20 March – one of the largest annual gatherings of Turkey’s fruit and vegetable industry.
During the three-day event, Chile exhibited via a 15m2 stand in an effort to raise the awareness of the South American country’s fresh fruit offer, strengthen existing relationships with existing trade colleagues and create new links with Turkish importers and retailers.
“The Turkish market is opening up to Chilean fruit,” explained Lianne Jones, CFFA’s European field manager. “We have already seen major gains, but our presence at Antalya has allowed us to enhance the perception of Chilean fruit in Turkey, at a time when there is considerable modernisation taking place there.”
Cenk Nailgil who was recently appointed by ProChile in Turkey was also on hand to meet visitors and offer help and advice to those interested in working with the Chilean industry.
“We were keen to emphasise the fact that the FTA will soon be signed and that will make it easier for Chile and Turkey to do business with each other,” said Mr Nailgil. “The tariffs that have been place until now have limited the possibilities, but Chile has FTAs in place all over the world and taken advantage of the benefits. Turkey will be no different.”
CFFA said the Chilean stand was well visited by not only by the Turkish trade but also new visitors from Iraq, Iran and Oman, among other countries.
Last season Chilean fresh produce exports to Turkey mainly comprised nuts (6,019 tonnes), followed by green apples, kiwifruit, almonds, red apples, table grapes, pears, cherries, peaches and plums – the latter two products being exported for the first time.
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