Although Chilean nectarine export protocols were recently signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a trip to the South American country, the inaugural shipments may have to wait until next season. 

Chilean fruit grower association Fedefruta said it seemed the visit by inspections from China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to validate the process had been delayed.

The organization recently met with the Chinese Ambassador to Chile, Li Baorong, in a bid to speed up the inspection of Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) and the Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX).

After news of the market opening was received in late October, Chilean producers began making contact with their Chinese clients to arrange the first shipments from December, according to Fedefruta.

"The issue is extremely delicate, because if the representatives from AQSIQ do not come to review and approve the exports in the coming days, around one million boxes of fresh nectarines will be left without a destination," Fedefruta president Luis Schmidt said.

"We were informed that after the protocols were signed we would be able to begin exports by the end of the year, but for that to happen we first need to complete this important step.

"This must be resolved immediately, especially given that the harvests are running about 10 or 15 days early due to weather conditions."

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