Chongqing—The Chinese inland megacity Chongqing is emerging as a new gateway for Latin American exporters. On Oct. 22, during 2025 Chile Week in China, the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association and Chongqing Shuangfu Agricultural Products Wholesale Market Co., Ltd. signed an MoU to boost fruit trade—Chile’s first major step into western China’s consumer market.

The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association and Chongqing Shuangfu Agricultural Products Wholesale Market Co., Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in fruit trade. (Photo/CCPIT Chongqing)

For Chile, the world's largest cherry exporter, Chongqing represents a strategic gateway to reach the Chinese interior's vast and rapidly growing markets. "Chongqing's fruit consumption is rising faster than the national average," said Claudia Soler, Executive Director of the Chilean Cherry Committee. "We've seen a significant increase in online searches for Chilean cherries, showing that consumers here are eager to learn more about our products."

Soler noted that while cherries have long been a Chinese New Year delicacy, Chile aims to make them part of everyday dining. "We want cherries to be enjoyed at breakfast, dinner, or as a snack with friends," she said. "Chongqing could serve as a distribution hub for western China, helping us reach beyond coastal markets."

Under the agreement, Chilean exporters will visit Chongqing's major wholesale markets, while local distributors will connect importers from across Southwest China with Chilean suppliers. Both sides also plan to establish regular information exchanges and launch promotional campaigns to raise awareness of Chilean fruit among Chinese consumers.

The 2025 Chile Week in China (Chongqing) was held in Chongqing on October 22. (Photo/CCPIT Chongqing)

Strengthening supply chains and expanding online access

Iván Marambio, President of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, underscored China's central role in Chile's fruit industry. "China accounts for more than 45 percent of our total export value and over 28 percent of our export volume," he said. "For cherries alone, demand in China is increasing at around 9 percent every year."

He added that Chile's strength lies in quality and reliability. "Our cherries are firm, sweet, and of the highest quality. We’re a dependable supplier capable of meeting large-scale demand, offering Chinese consumers some of the best fruit in the world."

According to the 2024/25 Chilean Fresh Fruit Statistics Handbook, China's cherry imports have grown by an average of 14 percent annually over the past five years, with Chile accounting for nearly 98 percent of those imports. Marambio said that China's advanced cold-chain logistics and booming e-commerce sector have solved the "last mile" challenge, allowing premium fruit to reach inland consumers more efficiently.

For example, given Chongqing's mountainous geography, online platforms play a crucial role in fruit distribution. "E-commerce and instant retail are vital here," said Soler. "We'll continue strengthening partnerships with local online platforms and improve our supply chain to meet the city's fast-evolving consumption habits."

For Chile, the world's largest cherry exporter, Chongqing represents a strategic gateway to reach the vast and fast-growing markets of inland China. (Photo/CCPIT Chongqing)

Chongqing's role in strengthening China-Chile ties 

The growing cooperation reflects deepening economic links between Chile and Chongqing. From January to August 2025, total trade between the two countries reached 2.4 billion yuan (about 333 million U.S. dollars), up 5.3 percent year on year. Chilean cherries, salmon, and wine are now common in Chongqing households, while the city's exports, from new energy vehicles and electronic components to agricultural machinery, are making their way to Chile.

"Chongqing is a very dynamic city, and we place great importance on the market in Southwest China, which holds many new opportunities," said Pablo Arriarán, Ambassador of Chile to China.

He noted that Chile was the first South American nation to establish diplomatic relations with China and that both sides have since maintained close cooperation in the economy, innovation, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Arriarán added that sectors such as agriculture, timber, and industry offer vast potential for partnership and expressed hope that Chongqing will serve as a vital gateway for Chile to expand into the broader Southwest China region.