Argentine blueberry exporters could soon gain access to the massive Chinese market, with inspectors from the Asian country set to visit later this month. 

According to the Argentinean Blueberry Committee (ABC), delegates from China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) will carry out a preliminary inspection of the industry between Nov. 22-30.

Argentina's National Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) is working with the ABC to coordinate the visit.

The ABC said the technicians would visit farms and packhouses in the provinces of Salta, Tucumán and Buenos Aires, as well as regional Senasa centers and a key airport near the capital.

Season update

Looking at the current campaign, the ABC said 1,925 metric tons (MT) of fruit had been exported to various markets during week 44.

Of the total, 1,234MT were shipped to the U.S., 329MT to continental Europe, 277MT to the U.K., 68MT to Canada and 17MT to Asia and other markets.

"ABC's estimate for week 44 was 1,999MT, in line with reality," the group said in its latest report.

"There were rains between last Friday and Monday in Tucuman, which could potentially translate into lower volumes than forecast during week 45."

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