Chilean officials have shown a Vietnamese delegation the processes in place that effectively stamped out fruit fly outbreaks last year. 

The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) believes trade with Vietnam may return to normal by the end of this year, following a successful visit of quarantine inspectors from August 22-26. 

Chile exported 2,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh fruit - mostly table grapes, apples, cherries and kiwifruit - to the country in 2014-15, but Vietnam suspended imports from Chile after a series of fruit fly outbreaks last year.

During the recent visit, five officials from the Plant Protection Department de Vietnam (PPD) were received by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Claudio Ternicier, as well as representatives from Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) and ASOEX.

The purpose of the tour was to show the officials Chile's National Fruit Fly Program in action in the country's orchards and packhouses, and how it enabled last year's outbreaks to be controlled and eradicated so that Chile has not lost its fruit fly-free status.

ASOEX general manager Miguel Canala-Echeverría said prior to the suspension Chile's fruit exports to Vietnam were on the rise, and he believed a reopening was possible in November now that Vietnamese delegates have seen the industry's pest control systems at work.

With a population of 90 million people and a very young demographic, ASOEX sees attractive opportunities in the Vietnamese market.

A study conducted by ProChile's trade office in Ho Chi Minh City shows supermarkets and shopping centers have been growing their presence, taking a significant part of customers who normally shop at open air markets in urban areas.

The study also found convenience stores are more prevalent than in Chile, Western Europe or the United States, offering a wide range of goods in order to satisfy consumer demand in areas without outlet supermarkets.

Open air markets continue to dominate in rural areas but this trend is also changing with more modern commercial formats that are becoming increasingly accepted in the provinces.

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