Since China opened it's doors to the export of Conference pears from the Netherlands, near the end of 2014, more than 1 million kilos have been received. Jan Timmermans, chairman for the fruit trading committee, is very happy with the export volume going to this new market.
After losing Russia as an export market in the summer of 2014, pear export became mainly a European affair. At the end of 2014 China's borders were officially open to Dutch pear exporters. According to Timmermans, the first contact between The Netherlands and China was established eight years ago. Government level negotiations lasted close to five years. According to Timmermans, it took a while to get the import requirements on paper. The Chinese set very high standards that some Dutch pear growers could not meet. Negotiations took a while, but they finally came to an agreement.
Negotiations with China
The NVWA has played an important role in the negotiations. The deployment of the Agricultural Council in China was of great significance. Inspectors from China have been to the Netherlands several times for inspection. This eventually lead to a breakthrough last year when China opened it's borders to Conference pears.
Timmermans warns against of high expectations, especially in the short term. He says that Chinese consumers have to get used to the two pear colours, especially the brown colour, "At first they think that the pear is not good; but after they try it they know this is not true, and they really appreciate the taste."
The top 5 destinations
Timmermans thinks that China could eventually land in the top 5 destinations for pear export, similar to the volumes of exports that were going to Russia in the years before the boycott. Timmermans says that Dutch exporters will have to work very hard to break through the successful start of the first few months. Through making agreements with foreign trading partners, advertising and special price promotions can be created."
Brazil has also opened it's borders to Conference pears from the Netherlands this year. Discussions in India are quite far along; their border will most likely open this fall for Dutch apples and pears. Timmermans is not optimistic about possible export to Japan, "To export to Japan the pear trees would have to be covered. Our fruit growers cannot meet such a condition."
Teamwork
Nynke Runia has played an important role in gaining market access for the Conference pears from the Netherlands
What was required to open the border?
"Teamwork, that is essential. In this case it was about intense cooperation between the phytosanitary market access team in the Hague, the NVWA and our team in Peking. The fruit sector was also highly involved."
Why did it take so long?
"Such procedures demand more time, in this case 5 years. Part of the process was a series of inspections in the Netherlands, first under the Pest Risk Assessment and then for approval from the involved fruit farms."
What was the turning point?
"During the final phases of negotiations, consultations were held between AQSIQ (Inspector in China), Meeuwes Brower (CPO) and Henk Stigter (NVWA). That was greatly appreciated in China, and questions, that the Chinese still had, were able to be quickly and effectively answered."
What was the role of the agriculture bureau?
"In close contact with the Hague, we, as the agriculture bureau, maintained close contact with the Chinese government. We advise on the strategy to follow, find out where there are still problems and exert pressure to make progress. Working on getting access to a market requires everyone involved to have patience, flexibility and optimism."
