Carlos Furche, director of the Chilean office for agricultural policy and research (Odepa) is reported in the Chilean press saying that the agreement will open up new possibilities for Chilean exporters. Tariffs on Chilean cut-flower imports into the EU will gradually reduce to zero over the next four years, which may give Chile an interesting alternative export market to the US. The North American destination has a dominant share of Chilean sendings at some 97 per cent. The UK and the Netherlands together make up just one per cent.
Floriculture in the country has not achieved its potential as an underdeveloped domestic market has stunted growth to the extent that national statistics for production are hard to find.
Producers are therefore beginning looking further afield for outlets for their of lilies, carnations, peonies, gladioli, roses, lisianthus, alstroemeria and chrysanthemums.
Lilies are the most important export line accounting for 8.5 per cent of total exports. Carnations account for 2.5 per cent, tulips 1.6 per cent and roses 1.6 per cent. Sendings totaled 331tonnes and were worth nearly $2 million for the five months to May this year.
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