Chilean agricultural office open for business

Local firms looking to import fruits and vegetables from Chile now have a new venue to get information and assistance.

Last week, the Agricultural Section of the Chilean Embassy opened its doors for business.

Located in the Chilean chancery in Myeong-dong, the agricultural department is looking at ways to expand the already strong trade relations both countries share.

"We split the responsibilities of our trade office this way now, the agricultural section will take care of the promotion of agricultural exports and the trade office will take care of everything else," said Chilean Agricultural Minister Marigen Hornkohl.

The objective of the Agriculture Affairs Office is to promote silvoagropecuarian products international trade and services from and toward Chile.

This will be done she said by looking for the best: commercial, sanitarian, technical and social conditions for both nations.



Hornkohl explained that Chile is placing itself to become a food producing and exporting power.

"To improve our trade relations first we need to build confidence between markets, this is the case of Chile and Korea," she said.

Korea is Chile`s fourth largest trading partner in pork and poultry.

Furthermore, she explained that Korea is an important market to export Chilean fruits and wines.

Overall trade between both countries last year grew to $7.1 billion. This year, the numbers are 41 percent less in bilateral trade for the first eight months of the year compared to last year.

Due to the worldwide recession that started a year ago, Korea has been affected with declining exports, insecurity in financing and weakening of the Korean won against the dollar.

During the 2009 season, two main factors have greatly affected the import of fresh fruits: the decline in consumer spending due to weakening consumer sentiment and the weakening of the Korean won. Imports from Chile were no exception despite the favorable tariffs, competitive prices and quality produce.

Korea has one of the highest levels of food standards and requirements out there, "so for that reason we are working together to improve our relationship, to improve our confidence and also answer all the requirements about food safety standards and quality" asked by the Korean government, Hornkohl said.

Concerning new products, Hornkohl explained that they are working on the requirements needed to export more poultry products to Korea.

"In the case of the new poultry processing plants in Chile, inspectors from Korea are traveling to Chile to inspect the plants and hopefully approve them for export into Korea."

"Also, we are showing good advances in the risk analysis of blueberries so in the short term we hope that we can export blueberries to the Korean market," she said.

Trade is a two-way street and Chile is also interested in importing advanced technology from Korea.

"I tell our partners that it is important to not only increase the volume or the amount of exports but also, what is more important for us, is to increase the number of products that have added value which would be more competitive in the Korean market," Hornkohl said.

Some of the products she spoke about are canned fruits, fruit juices and concentrates, and olive oil.

"Chile has one of the highest standards of virgin olive oil," said Hornkohl. "We have a diverse supply, different condiments and spices also."

Another important area she hopes will make its way into the Korean marketplace is gourmet foods.

"We have a wide array of different agricultural products besides wine and seafood products," Hornkohl said with optimism.

(yoav@heraldm.com)



By Yoav Cerralbo