Chile and China extend frozen fruit protocol

The signing of a frozen fruit protocol between Chile and China will expand the number of species that can be imported from the South American country from 3 to 17. The authorised frozen fruits are raspberry, boysenberry, cranberry, apple, avocado, cherry, custard apple, grape, kiwi, peach, mango, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, blueberry, blackberry and strawberry. The agreement will allow bilateral trade and is expected to generate greater opportunities for small and medium fruit producers. 

In 2020, Chilean shipments of frozen fruits totalled 171,000 tons with a value of US$435 million. China is in fifth place as a destination for fruit sales, with 11,000 tons (US$23 million). Frozen fruit exports are mainly berries, accounting for 79% of the total value of these shipments. Of the total registered, blueberry (29%) leads the group, followed by strawberry 28%, raspberry 16% and blackberry 8%.