The world's top prune-exporting nation expects to benefit from a trade dispute between the U.S. and China that has seen the latter this week implement a 15% additional tariff on a range of produce imports.

China's Ministry of Finance on April 2 announced that the duties had been applied to more than 100 products, including a range of fruit and nut commodities.

Chile's position as a counter-seasonal supplier to the U.S. means there will likely be limited benefits for fresh produce, but Chile Prunes executive director Andrés Rodríguez expects the situation could be different for the dried fruit.

"China's additional tariff of 15% on certain U.S. products undoubtedly means we can consolidate the presence of prunes in Asia," he said.

He noted that Chile is not required to pay tariffs for its prune exports to China.

"Chile is the world's biggest prune exporter, and in Asia - mainly in China, Japan and India - we have lower market shares than other countries in the world, and there is therefore an opportunity to expand our shipments," he said.

Last year Chile shipped the fruit to 80 countries, with exports rising 11% to US$175 million.

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