Chile's largest nectarine exporter has been faring well during its first full season shipping the stonefruit to China, reported receiving high market prices. 

While Chile mostly produces yellow-fleshed nectarines, the trend in China is toward white-fleshed varieties and Chile is following suit.

Gesex general manager Gonzalo Matamala told Fresh Fruit Portal the first batch of Chilean nectarines recently arrived in Guangzhou.

The Chinese market opened for Chilean nectarines in early February last year, but Matamala explained that the green light had been given mid-way through the season and so Chinese consumers had been unable to enjoy the full variety normally available.

He said that this year consumers had been won over by the nectarines' taste, sweetness and firm texture, adding that the first shipment selling out in just one day.

The high fruit quality helped the fruit to obtain even higher prices than cherries - Chile's star product in China - and the fruit was able to compete well with the Australian competition, Matamala said.

As Chinese New Year in mid-February approaches, he says the orders are stacking up

So far this season, 20% of Gesex's nectarine exports have been sent to China, and the company is now trying to work with more e-commerce companies within China like Taobao and JD.com to open up more sales channels.

According to Chile's Office of Agricultural Research and Policy (ODEPA), the South American country exported a little more than 3,000 metric tons (MT) of nectarines to China last year when it received market access.

China is also expected by the industry to overtake the U.S. as the leading destination for nectarine exports.

www.freshfruitportal.com