The 2,597-carton consignment was shipped Hebei province-based Botou Dongfang Fruit Co
The first-ever shipment of Chinese pears arrived in Argentina last week, marking a milestone in bilateral trade between the two countries. A consignment of 2,597 cartons of fresh pears valued at US$25,420 was shipped by Hebei province-based Botou Dongfang Fruit Co.
Hebei province is renowned for its pears, which are exported to almost 50 countries worldwide. In the first quarter of 2025, exports from the province totalled 69,000 tonnes, valued at CNY420mn, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.8 per cent in volume and 13.9 per cent in value, according to data published by China News Service (CNS).
China is the world’s leading pear producer, with 940,000ha producing around 8mn tonnes a year. The sector has intensified efforts to diversify its export markets, and Argentina is one of several countries being targeted.
“After a market study, we discovered that Latin America has strong demand and continued recognition for fruits produced in China,” said Guo Yusen, general manager of Botou Dongfang Fruit.
The shipment prompted representatives of Argentina’s top fruit industry to renew calls for better access to the Chinese market.
Nicolás Sánchez, president of the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (Cafi), welcomed the move, noting that the varieties produced in China do not compete directly with Argentine-grown pears.
However, he noted that currently, the procedures for exporting fruit to China from Argentina are much more complex than those faced by Chinese producers entering the country.
“If we have a surplus container of pears, we can’t make the decision to export them directly to China. There’s very complex bureaucracy. And they can do it spot: a deal came up and they export them. So, I think we should be able to match that. From that perspective, I see it as positive,” he said.
