In 2018, Chile was the top supplier by value among all countries and regions of imported fresh fruit to China, according to statistics released last month by China Customs. The value of Chilean fresh fruit imported into China rose more than 10-fold over the course of 10 years, climbing from $168.2 million in 2009 to $1.7 billion in 2018.

“A large part of this enormous growth can be attributed to the 2005 Chile-China Free Trade Agreement, under which Chilean fresh fruits are imported into China with zero tariff, providing a win-win-win benefit to Chilean farmers, Chinese importers and Chinese consumers,” said Wood.