Ecuadorian blueberry producers begin process to open the Chinese market

(Agraria.pe) Ecuadorian blueberry exporters have submitted a formal request to their country's authorities to begin negotiations with China in order to obtain a phytosanitary agreement that will allow them to export fruit with a 0% tariff to that market. Sebastián Muñóz, general coordinator of the Ecuadorian Federation of Blueberry Producers and Exporters (Fepexa) told the Primicias newspaper of that country that blueberries are one of the priority products in the Ecuadorian government's trade talks with its Chinese counterparts. Although Ecuador has had a Free Trade Agreement with China since May of this year, which has allowed it to export products such as pitahaya and cocoa powder with zero tariffs, the lack of phytosanitary protocols has prevented it from being able to send fruits such as blueberries, grapes and passion fruit, among others. The leader of the blueberry producers told the local media that, although the preparation of a phytosanitary protocol can take between two ...