Chile targets China as main destination for food exports

SANTIAGO - Chile hopes China will soon become the No 1 destination for its food exports, Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche said Friday.

"We already have a complete free trade zone and in terms of food and forest products, the FTA has had extraordinary results," said Furche two weeks ahead of a major food product promotion event in China.

When the free trade agreement (FTA) was signed in 2005, Chilean exports of forest and agricultural products to China were worth $400 million and, in 2015, this figure rose to $2.4 billion.

"What is going to happen is that, in the next decade, China will become the first destination for Chilean food exports, a position that the United States currently occupies," said Furche.

Cherries, grapes, pork and wine are among the main Chilean food exports to China while China exports textiles, shoes, and furniture to Chile.