More than 50 companies took part at the Chilean pavilion, accompanied by Committees for Blueberries, Kiwis, Cherries and Citric Fruits at the Hong Kong event, September 5, 6 and 7
HONG KONG, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chile's constant presence at the industry's most important events has been one of the key factors in positioning Chilean fruit worldwide. For this strategy, Asia Fruit Logistica has played a vital role in Asia to highlight the key attributes that have made buyers of Chilean fruit develop trust in Chile as a reliable and safe provider of the highest quality products .
"As the export leader in the southern hemisphere, it is very important for Chile to be present at venues in which the world of fruit gets together to do business and discuss the industry's most important issues. At Asia Fruit Logistica we presented ourselves once again as a country that guarantees reliable provision of fresh, quality fruit that is healthy and safe, with the additional merit of being available off-season, which allows us to supply markets as demanding as Asia's," observed Ronald Bown, President of Chile's Asociacion de Exportadores de Frutas (ASOEX – Chilean Fresh Fruit Association).
According to official ASOEX figures, exports of fresh Chilean fruit throughout the world reached 2.64 million tons in the 2010-2011 season (7.2% more than in 2009-2010), which enabled Chile to establish itself as the world's largest exporter of table grapes, plums and blueberries; second for avocados; third for kiwis and apples, and fourth for peaches.
In Asia in particular, export volume has increased by 27% in the 2010-2011 season compared to the previous one, adding up to 352,652 tons, and is the fourth largest market for Chile after the United States (909,303 tons), Europe (711,814 tons) and Latin America (518,971 tons).
"The growth that exports of Chilean fresh fruit have undergone throughout the world, and specifically in Asia, is the result of the arduous work of international positioning carried out jointly between the public and private sectors, which was represented at this fair by 'Fruits from Chile,' the new brand image strategy developed by the Chilean fruit industry," noted Felix de Vicente, Director of ProChile.
Based on key factors that have made Chile into a world leader in fruit exports, such as the quality of the source, the excellence of its products and the skill of its workers, the initiative seeks to enhance the penetration and performance of Chilean fruit products at their principal destinations, without losing sight of each industry's distinctive characteristics, and retaining the country's endorsement as an asset and visible support. In 2012 and 2013 there are plans to undertake a series of actions for brand dissemination among the main purchasers and distributors of the industry in Asia, the U.S. and Europe.
