China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has approved market entry for Chilean avocados, shelled walnuts, beef, lamb and mutton.

A release from Chile's Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) said the market access negotiation process had taken many years, and finally these products would be on their way to the Chinese mainland in a few months.

"China needs these foods, and Chile can produce and export them," Agriculture Minister Luis Mayol said in the release.

Mayol highlighted Chile's strong health standards were decisive in attaining access to China. In addition, authorities from both countries have signed agreements to authorize electronic certification to expedite the process and avoid fraud.

MINAGRI and AQSIQ have also signed a bilateral fruit cooperation agreement, with a time period of four years in which phytosanitary agencies from both countries will work together on issues such as fruit market access, logistics and transport, and the technical aspects of quarantine in fighting fruit fly.

"This is the first [agreement of its kind] that the authorities of AQSIQ have signed with another country, which shows the excellent relations between both nations, and is an example of how coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors yields fruit for the country, and in this opportunity for the national fruit industry," Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) president Ronald Bown said in a release.

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