Representatives of the Phytosanitary Service of China (AQSIQ) are visiting Chile in order to advance the establishment of quarantine radios for outbreaks of fruit flies and to materialize Chilean avocado exports to the Chinese market.
The visit's goal is to advance the implementation of a 27.2 km quarantine radio whenever an outbreak of fruit fly is detected and to advance the implementation of the protocol for avocado exports, stated the Fruit Exporters Association of Chile AG (ASOEX).
AQSIQ inspectors completed an intense program of activities prepared by the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) and ASOEX, which included visits to past outbreaks of fruit fly sites in the urban areas of San Esteban and Coquimbo in the V Region.
The mission of the AQSIQ also toured facilities and orchards so that they could know first hand the production and export processes of avocados.
"There has been remarkable progress in matters relating to the export of avocados, as well as to the application of a quarantine radio within Chile upon detection of an outbreak of fruit fly, which would allow producers to export with fewer costs and operational requirements," said the president of ASOEX, Ronald Bown.
In that sense, Bown highlighted the importance of the Asian markets, especially of China, for Chilean fruit exports. Currently, he added, China has authorized Chile to export to its market table grapes, apples, kiwis, plums, blueberries , cherries and avocados.
It is worth noting that, after Mexico, Chile was the second country to obtain authorization for entry of avocado to the Chinese market, through the protocol signed by the Ministry of Agriculture and the AQSIQ in September 2014.
Currently, the industry is working with the SAG and the AQSIQ on the adequacy of the current exports protocol, which would allow the sector to export avocados from any production area without undergoing a cold quarantine treatment, which is required today for productions from the regions IV, RM and V.
