As of this June, orange and blueberry export from Uruguay to China has been put on the agenda. On August 3rd, Mr. Li Jianwei, the director of Department of Aminal and Plant Quarantine Supervision has drafted, together with ambassador Mr. Fernando Lugris from Uruguay embassy in China, the Protocal on Requirements of the Plant Quarantine Supervision and Inspection for Uruguay Orange Export to China, and the Protocol on Requirements of the Plant Quarantine Supervision and Inspection for Uruguay Blueberry Export to China. This means that, after the fruit fly and black spot disease, Uruguay oranges and blueberries have the potential to be exported to China.
It is known that as common practice, China will send its experts to Uruguay for field research before official export approval. If everything goes well, Uruguay is expected to start its trial export of blueberries to China, and further expand its export in 2017.
Uruguay is a country in the southeastern region of South America. It borders Brazil to the north and Argentina to the south. Generally its blueberry season starts as of August. With an annual production volume of 2,300 tons, around 80% to 90% of them are used for export to American and European markets, and the majority of them are grown in Salto and Paysandú. Despite being a small export volume to Hong Kong and mainland China, its blueberries have supply advantages, because they are normally exported in the middle of September, which fits perfectly with the low Chinese market season at that time.
Meanwhile, Uruguay orange is also considered as one key export category. Similar to that of blueberry, around 90% of its oranges are targeted for export, which was temporarily stopped by China due to its fruit fly issue found in 2012, followed by European market's rejection in 2015 due to black spot disease. After what has occurred for the fruit export market, Uruguay government has adjusted the sales conditions and picking standards for its oranges. After improving its domestic orange industry standards, its oranges are successfully imported to American markets.
