The New Agreement with Japan - not good for fruit producers in Chile

The agreement with Japan to conform a free trade zone benefits only few Chilean fruit producers. Beneficiary producers would be those of blueberries, which will immediately have free access to the Japanese market. Other fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, kiwis and pears have to wait between 5 and 7 years to complete the free access. Grapes will enter free of tariffs in 15 years and citrus (oranges and mandarins) are excluded. A review of the agreement is expected in the fifth year of validity of the treaty, but fruit producers will need more support from the government for a further tariff reduction.