The official visit paves the way for the first expected shipments of Chilean avocados and blueberries to India this year.

Out of the US$5.9 billion worth of fruits and nuts exported worldwide by Chile last year, just US$28 million went to the world's second-most populated country - India - with apples (US$22 million), kiwifruit (US$3.3 million) and walnuts (US$1.6 million) as the main commodities. 

It is worth noting though that just 10 years prior, Chile only shipped US$18.5 million worth of fruits and nuts to another Asian powerhouse economy - China.

In 2016, that fruit market was worth more than US$1 billion for Chile, making it the South American country's second-largest fruit export destination behind the United States.

Only time will tell just how much the Indian fruit import market can grow, but as the old adage goes, the first step is always the hardest.

Following the announcement of Indian market access for Chilean blueberries and avocados in April, agricultural and trade officials from the South Asian nation recently visited Chile to inspect pest control procedures in fields and packhouses. 

Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) president Ángel Sartori said the Indian delegation were able to see the extensive level of production and rigor in controls.

He emphasized avocados and avocados would "soon be able to reach the tables of consumers in India, which is an immense market where from the month of September we'll start exporting Chilean blueberries and avocados".

Sartori highlighted access for these two fruits was the result of negotiations which had always been accompanied by the private sector; a process that took 10 years to complete.  

"The visit of professionals from India's Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce and Industry came about following the agreement signed in Delhi in April, through which the opening was completed for exports of our blueberries and avocados," said Ronald Bown, president of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX).

K.S. Kapoor of India's India’s Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS) said the delegation saw avocado orchards and packing operations, verifying compliance with high standards of food safety and quality.

Kapoor added the delegation was particularly impressed by Chile's production of avocados on hillsides, as well as the level of applied technology in the industry. 

The delegation visited operations in the areas of Llay Llay and Hijuelas in Chile's Valparaiso (V) region.

Chile's Agricultural Attaché to India, Jaime González, highlighted the arrangement is under a systems approach.

"Beforehand shipments were impossible as you had to apply fumigation with methyl bromide, which damaged teh condition and quality of the fruit," González said.

"India is becoming more and more advanced in technical efforts in terms of establishing entry requirements, but there are still challenges to take on as is the case with high tariffs and opening up the economy in a bigger way."

The news comes shortly after a high-profile visit of Indian officials in Peru, which led to the announcement access would be granted for the country's blueberries and citrus fruit. 

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