Closer ties between Chile and New Zealand fruit sectors

Chile and New Zealand are taking steps to ensure closer ties between their fruit sectors. A recent Chilean trade mission led by Asoex president Iván Marambio visited New Zealand to learn more about its fruit production and export processes and forge a closer collaboration between the two industries. The trip marks a significant step in moves to end in ending Chile’s long-running spat with New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, which has accused of monopolistic practices.

Marambio said: “Although we compete, there are instances in which we can work together, such as in promoting kiwifruit consumption…as well as quality, conditions and new varieties.” The two sectors are working together to draw up a joint working plan before the next meeting of the International Kiwifruit Organisation, which will take place later this year in Chile.

In addition to Marambio, the Chilean delegation was made up of Carlos Cruzat, president of the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee, Charif Christian Carvajal, Asoex’s marketing director for the Asian and Middle Eastern markets, as well as representatives of five Chilean fruit exporting companies.

Cruzat said the visit had been very positive and raised interesting opportunities for cooperation, “not only to promote greater consumption of the fruit, but also, for example, in facing climate change that affects both industries, as well as pest prevention and control”.

Carvajal, a former president of the Southern Hemisphere Association for Fresh Fruit Exporters (Shaffe), commented: “From Shaffe’s point of view, this visit was very important, since both countries are Shaffe members, and for this reason, we value the instances that can promote the exchange of information at a technical-productive level; but also because it allows both industries to visualise at what level each one is, according to the category of products, which in this case focused on apples, pears and kiwifruit. We believe that there was learning from both parties, generating very positive instances of exchange, with a very good willingness to continue working and cooperating in the future.”