Chilean cherries deepen roots in southwest China after new Chongqing deal

Chile’s fruit-export sector is making a strategic move into inland China following the signing of a key cooperation agreement. Frutas de Chile has sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chongqing Shuangfu Fruits, a major wholesale fruit market in southwest China, as part of efforts to deepen the presence of Chilean cherries in that region.

The agreement, announced during the joint commemorations of the 55th anniversary of China–Chile diplomatic ties and the 10th Chile Week China, will focus on three pillars: strengthening commercial ties through mutual visits of delegations, sharing strategic information on market conditions and consumer trends, and executing promotional campaigns such as product launches and tastings.

According to Iván Marambio, President of Frutas de Chile, the MoU marks a key step in their strategy to expand beyond China’s coastal tier-1 cities into second, third and fourth-tier markets — leveraging Chongqing’s role as a logistical hub for the southwest. He emphasised that Chilean cherries already dominate China’s cherry imports, accounting for around 98% of the volume and growing at about 14% annually over the last five years.

Sources indicate this strategic push aligns with the broader goal of Chile enhancing supply-chain resilience, improving fruit quality and reaching new consumer segments in China’s fast-evolving retail and e-commerce environments.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: smartcherry.world