With the presence of 47 companies that showed a wide range of exportable supplies of fresh fruits, Chile ended its participation in Asia Fruit Logistica 2011 in Hong Kong, which happened between September 7 and 9
HONG KONG, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Chilean fruit industry celebrated at Asia Fruit Logistica a successful participation in building trade links with importers and distributors in Asia and the world, showing the best of the country and its products to industry leaders and the general public through a coordinated promotional work between ProChile (Chilean Promotion Bureau) and the Chilean Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (ASOEX).
Chile's participation in the fifth edition of the most important horticultural fair in Asia was attended by the Citrus, Blueberries and Kiwi Committees as well as 47 Chilean exporters and producers that together under one pavilion showed the country's offer of a wide variety of fresh fruits that have positioned Chile as the largest exporter of these products in the southern hemisphere.
ProChile's Commercial Director in Hong Kong, Guillermo Garrido, highlighted the high attendance that the Chilean stand had for meetings between Asian importers and Chilean exporters and producers. "It's a tremendous satisfaction to see that despite being in a difficult time for the international economy, businesses around the world continue to trust in Chile not only for the quality and safety of our products, but also for the political and economic stability in the country, which gives them confidence when buying products and investing. During this fair, we reconfirmed the excellent image that our fruits have in Asia," said Garrido.
Ronald Bown, President of Asoex, confirmed that the 2011 version of Asia Fruit Logistica exceeded expectations in terms of the number of exporters and producers in the sector who participated in the Chilean pavilion, reaching for the first time more than 78 delegates from 47 companies, a record of participation in this event which has become the most important fair in the category in the region.
"In this fair Chile showed itself to the world as a country that guarantees a reliable supply of high quality, healthy and safe fresh fruits favored by counter-seasonal offer which enables us to supply the most demanding markets, such as Asia," said Bown.
Presence of Chilean fresh fruit in the world
According to official figures from Asoex, Chilean fresh fruit shipments to the world reached the 2.63 million tons during 2010/2011 season, which allowed the country to establish itself as the world's largest exporter of table grapes, plums and blueberries; second in avocados, third in kiwis and raspberries, fourth in peaches and fifth in apples.
Specifically in Asia, export volumes grew 27% during the 2010/2011 season compared to 2009/2010 reaching 352,652 tons, this being the fourth largest market for Chile after the United States (909,303 tons), Europe (711,814 tons) and Latin America (518,971 tons).
Through the network of 21 trade agreements with 58 countries, Chile has established itself as a major player in the global food scene, currently ranked as the 16th largest exporter of such products in the world.
