APEC Stories: Chilean cherries sweeten shelves across the Chinese mainland.
This spring, cherries from Chile have won new fans from Shanghai to Shenzhen, combining global trade with a taste of summer. For many young consumers, these fruits aren’t just fresh snacks—they’re a symbol of how connected our world has become.
According to the General Administration of Customs, the mainland imported 17.54 billion yuan worth of Chilean cherries in the first four months of this year, accounting for 16.2 percent of all imports from Chile during the same period.
These cherries got a major boost when they secured zero-tariff access in 2017. Since then, dedicated Cherry Express shipping routes and enhanced cold-chain logistics have cut transit times, guaranteeing peak freshness from orchard to market.
Meanwhile, partnerships between Chilean producers and Chinese e-commerce platforms have turned cherry season into an online festival. Flash sales, livestreamed tastings and targeted social media campaigns are driving demand at home and inspiring food lovers abroad.
As the first Latin American country to sign a bilateral trade agreement with the Chinese mainland, Chile uses its cherry exports as a fruity emblem of cooperation in the APEC era. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and travelers alike, the journey of these cherries shows how policy, technology and cultural exchange can bring new flavors to every corner of the world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
