The opening of the Brazilian market to Chilean citrus has been well received by the sector due to its benefits in terms of proximity and diversification, according to a leading industry body.

Chilean Citrus Committee manager Monserrat Valenzuela told www.freshfruitportal.com that whether any fruit would be sent this season - already late in the peace - depended on remaining volume and the agreements reached between interested parties.

"The recent opening of the Brazilian market is a great opportunity for very good quality Chilean citrus, and has great importance as it allows us to diversify our markets," Valenzuela said.

"On the other hand, considering the large distances our fruit travels, it [Brazil] is a close market with the benefits that brings with it."

She said there probably would be strong competition in Brazil from Argentina and Uruguay but the sector was in good stead.

"But in this sense, the companies represented by the Citrus Committee have worked to strengthen the image of Chilean citrus globally, that Chile is a reliable supplier of high quality, focusing on an export quality standard as a key differentiating factor," she said.

"An example of this is the Orange Ripeness Program. Currently, consumers recognize Chilean citrus as a product of origin that is reliable, fresh and with good flavor; in other words, it's positioned internationally as one of the best from the Southern Hemisphere.

"In this context we can highlight Clementines and W. Murcott, which are fruits that are highly appreciated for their flavor, good size and easiness to peel."

She said the U.S. currently received 78.5% of Chilean citrus exports, followed by the Far East with 10% - mainly due to lemons shipped to Japan - and Europe with 6%.

In a release, committee president Juan Enrique Ortúzar said that exporting 500,000 to one million boxes to Brazil would be "excellent news" in the first stage.

In the release, Chilean Agriculture Minister Carlos Furche highlighted the importance of this opening for an industry in growth mode.

"I believe it is important to firstly emphasize that our citrus production has consistently increased in recent years, and that it is one of the areas of the fruit industry that has been in a process of expansion," he said.

"Secondly, Brazil is one of our main markets in Latin America in terms of fruit exports, and thirdly, the size of this country's domestic market - for the fact it is also a citrus grower, not for direct consumption but juice - opens up great possibilities for our exports.

Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) national director Ángel Sartori highlighted Chile was in good condition to ensure the best phytosanitary standards for production, and the opening of the Brazilian market was a display of confidence in that fact.

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