Cherry Committee premieres new documentary highlighting the industry’s longstanding collaboration with the Asian country
The Chilean Cherry Committee has marked the official opening of its 2025/26 season in China by premiering a documentary highlighting the industry’s longstanding collaboration with China at an event, attended by key industry representatives from across the supply chain.
According to Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile, the CCTV-produced documentary, entitled Sweet Miracle: The Fruit of Friendship, “showcases the people, the processes, and the commitment to quality and food safety that, year after year, allows delicious fresh Chilean cherries to arrive in optimal condition after the long journey from our country to China”.
Although airflown Chilean cherries have been available in China since the end of October, the season will accelerate with the first major maritime shipment, expected to arrive in China next week. During the 2024/25 season, China imported more than 546,000 tonnes of fresh Chilean cherries, valued at approximately US$3.3bn, according to Frutas de Chile.
According to Víctor Catán, president of the Chilean Fruit Producers Federation (Fedefruta), cherry exports will be lower than the 131mn cartons initially forecast. The analysis is based on a survey conducted between 17 and 23 November in the country’s main producing regions.
Catán told Portal Frutícola that the shortfall was due to adjustments in agronomic management, the production shortfall following last year’s large volume, and the decline in competitiveness of some varieties in China. Many producers have opted for more aggressive management practices to achieve larger sizes, reducing the overall volume but increasing the quality of the fruit.
