Advances market diversification strategy for Chilean fruit in Southeast Asia

Market diversification strategy for Chilean fruit in Southeast Asia advances

02/11/2022

During a virtual meeting between the President of ASOEX, Iván Marambio, the general manager, Miguel Canala-Echeverría, the secretary general, Rodrigo Gallardo and the Indonesian Agricultural Attaché with incidence in the countries of Southeast Asia, Fernando Balart, the joint work strategy for the opening of new markets for Chilean fresh fruit, as well as improving the current entry condition of some products. A work that is also carried out together with Minagri, SAG, Odepa and the Chilean embassies in the countries of Southeast Asia.

“As ASOEX we are in a process of advancing in the positioning of our fresh fruit exports in markets that have been considered by the industry as strategic to continue growing. In this context, Southeast Asia is a very interesting market, especially since we are talking about more than 600 million inhabitants, from countries with growing economies, driven by a thriving middle class that appreciates the consumption of fruits and other imported products. For this reason, the meeting with Fernando Balart was very productive, since we were able to analyze those actions in which we are advancing and those in which we must continue pushing”, stated Iván Marambio, president of ASOEX.

Along the same lines, Fernando Balart highlighted: “It was a very enjoyable and important meeting, since it not only allowed us to meet the new president of ASOEX, but also to address the issues of the strategic agenda that we have been working on with this association. There is a lot of interest in opening new markets for Chilean fruit and that is what we have been concentrating on. There is very good news about the progress, for example, that we have achieved for the export of cherries by air to Vietnam, since now we only arrive by sea. We are in the last stage of the writing, after which we would move forward with the negotiations for the opening of kiwifruit and blueberry exports."

The attaché commented that, currently, Chile sends to Vietnam; apples, cherries and table grapes.

"Opening new markets, especially in Southeast Asia, is not only important, but strategic for a greater diversification of the markets for our fruits, and we have been concentrating on that and will continue to advance, together with our authorities and representatives in the world" , pointed out Miguel Canala-Echeverría.

The manager of ASOEX also highlighted that progress is being made in the opening for Chilean citrus in Indonesia, "where we have managed to certify -once again- our National Food Safety System, which allows us to enter our fruits through the port of Jakarta, where the Indonesian economy and population are concentrated, which allows us to improve our competitiveness with respect to fruits from other origins," he said.

Today, Chile exports table grapes, apples, pears, kiwis, cherries and blueberries to Indonesia.

For his part, Balart announced that in the Philippines there are future processes for the entry of blueberries, as well as pears in Thailand.

Regarding the situation of Covid in these countries, he pointed out: “Covid has less and less impact. There are no quarantines. No PCR is needed, only vaccination, which is why it is a very appropriate time for exporters to come closer to strengthen ties or learn about the opportunities in these markets."

Southeast Asia has approximately 670 million inhabitants, which is double the population of the US and 1,5 times greater than that of Europe. It is made up of 11 countries: Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Among the countries, Indonesia stands out for having the largest number of inhabitants within this region, with 276 million inhabitants and a population density of 142 inhabitants/km2. Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, behind China, India and the US. Its capital and economic and financial center is Jakarta, which has 9,5 million inhabitants, but if the metropolitan area (Greater Jakarta) is included, the figure rises to 30 million people.

Exports

Fresh fruit exports to Vietnam reached 2021 tons last season (2022-3.333), a figure that showed a 92,1% growth compared to what was exported the previous year.

To Indonesia, Chile sent 7.878 tons of fresh fruits, led by table grapes (95% of the total), kiwis and cherries. While shipments to the Philippines reached 759 tons, with 86% of that volume consisting of table grapes.

299 tons of fresh Chilean fruit arrived in the Singapore market, led by cherries (31%), blueberries (28%) and kiwis (23%).

For its part, Thailand received 3.050 T, with 51% of that figure in table grapes, 34% in cherries and 14% in apples. To Malaysia, Chile sent 2.156 T, led by table grapes (80%) and kiwis (11%).

Finally, according to ASOEX figures, there is a record of 44 tons of cherries sent to Cambodia.