Chilean pork strengthens position in China after Chile Week 2024

The ninth iteration of the event was held from December 1 to 7 and brought together ChileCarne, other trade organizations, and Chilean companies with Chinese importers and distributors, solidifying the presence of Chilean products in the one of the world’s most important markets.

ChileCarne, the association representing the Chilean pork and poultry industry, was one of the six exporting associations that joined a delegation to China headed by the Ministry of Agriculture. Chile Week 2024 was held in the cities of Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. It is most the significant event for promoting Chilean exports and a strategic platform to further position Chilean pork in China, which is highly valued in the Asian market for the product’s quality, traceability, and safety.

During the activities, the Chilean Undersecretary of Agriculture, Ignacia Fernández, explained that “China has established itself as a key pillar of both countries’ economic and social development. One in five Chilean exporting companies chooses China as its destination market; a fact that not only highlights the importance of bilateral trade but also the opportunities provided by initiatives like Chile Week.”

ChileCarne participated in various activities in Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, such as the “Made by Chileans” market, which included a mobile ChilePork stand that showcased the versatility and flavor of Chilean pork to more than 3 million visitors; as well as Agri-food seminars about the market’s outlook, which were also attended by the Undersecretary of Agriculture and representatives from other Chilean food industries and the Chinese market.

“Our mission as a food exporting country is clear: we are not interested in volume but in quality. The trust that has been built between Chile and China is key to promoting our food exports. This seminar, with various representatives from the public and private sectors, allowed us to deepen collaboration between both countries to ensure the quality and safety of our products,” said Juan Carlos Domínguez, President of ChileCarne, during the event.

ChileCarne’s joint activities with ProChile, Salmon from Chile, Fruits from Chile, and Wines of Chile

Various Chilean associations, representing a significant share of the country’s agricultural sector, organized activities to introduce the best Chilean products to the Chinese public.

A culinary demonstration for chefs, influencers, and importers was held in Chengdu, led by a prominent local chef and a social media food content creator. The event was live streamed to more than 200,000 people who watched the preparation of a local menu featuring the top Chilean products exported to China: salmon, pork, cherries, and wine.

The closing dinner of Chile Week China 2024 was held in Guangzhou. Over 200 people, including local and Chilean officials, Chinese importers, Chilean exporters, and opinion leaders embarked on a boat for a culinary journey to discover the qualities of the best Chilean food products. Attendees enjoyed views of the city and the beautiful scenery of the Zhujiang River.

“We believe that we have fulfilled the purpose of Chile Week China, Chile’s primary promotion event in the Asian giant, providing an umbrella to showcase our country’s diverse and varied offering. We talked about agriculture and food, pisco, creative industries, opportunities for tourism, and held two business matchmaking events that connected Chilean supply with international demand. Companies have closed deals, made business connections, and the entire delegation was able to continue strengthening ties with their Chinese counterparts,” said Ignacio Fernández, General Director of ProChile, the Chilean Exports Promotion Bureau.

China has become the main destination for Chilean meat, and its economic importance continues to grow. According to recent data, the Chinese market accounts for more than 25% of the meat sector’s export revenues, highlighting the need to continue strengthening commercial ties. ProChile estimates that trade between the two countries has grown 77% in the last decade, driven by events such as Chile Week.

Chile and China sign Memorandum of Understanding

An important milestone of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Chile and China, to strengthen trade and open new doors for cooperation in key areas such as animal health and meat product traceability. The agreement is a testament of both countries’ commitment to maintain high food safety standards and foster the exchange of knowledge in the meat industry.

With initiatives like these, ChileCarne not only promotes its products, but also facilitates long-term business relationships in a market that is crucial for the growth and diversification of Chilean exports. “Being part of Chile Week China 2024 is a fundamental pillar of our strategy to ensure that our exports continue and expand. China is not just a strategic market because of its size, but also due to its preference for quality products such as ours. The activities carried out this week allowed us to strengthen the trust of our business partners and highlight the economic value of a sustainable industry with high international quality standards,” Domínguez concluded.