The new Ambassador of Taiwan in Chile, Jaime H.T. Chen, and the director of the Economic Division of the Embassy, Qua-te Lee, got together with the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile (Asoex). Chen and Qua-te met with the President of Asoex, Ronald Bown, and with the general manager of Asoex, Miguel Canala-Echeverria. Even though it was a protocolary meeting, the attendees started analyzing various issues of importance for the Chilean fruit exports and how both countries could work together, since Taiwan is an important destination for Chilean fruits and other products.
"Taiwan is an important target market for Chilean fruit within Asia. Therefore, it was important to analyze aspects that could improve the entry of Chilean fruit to that market. Last year, Taiwan was our fourth biggest market destination in Asia, receiving more than 51,000 tons of Chilean fresh fruit," said Ronald Bown, president of Asoex.
According to statistics from Asoex based on data from the SAG, during the 2014-2015 season, Chile sent 51,989 tons of fresh fruits to Taiwan, which entered the country through the ports of Keelung, Kaohsiung, Taipei, Taichung, and Taiwan. Apple exports, especially of the Fuji variety, had the greatest volume with over 1.9 million cases. Cherry, nectarine, and table grape exports were also important, with about 500,000 cases for each of these fruits. Meanwhile, Chile exported more than 150,000 cases of kiwis, plums, and blueberries, respectively.
Improving the Chilean fruit's Competitiveness
According to the president of Asoex, one of the major issues discussed during the meeting was the Economic Cooperation Agreement signed between Taiwan and New Zealand on July 10, 2013.
"Even though our products enter the Taiwanese market without major problems, analyzing how to improve the conditions of entry for Chilean fruit was a key issue during the meeting with the new ambassador of Taiwan. New Zealand competes with our fruit in that market and they can enter it with zero tariffs, which affects our competitiveness," Bown said.
"Currently, most Chilean fruit pays a 20% tariff upon entering Taiwan, as is the case for our apples, nectarines, plums and kiwis. Cherries and blueberries are the exception as they only pay a 7.5% tariff," he added.
