The 2018-2019 season of cherries from the Southern hemisphere has smoothly come to an end. Chile, being the furthest country from China, is still the champion of Southern hemisphere cherry producing areas. From the end of October to the end of February, Chile provides over 15,000 tons of cherries shipping through air, ocean-air, and sea.
Chilean cherry has been performing well in recent years owing to its outstanding quality such as large size and good firmness. Thus Chilean cherry wins a good reputation among consumers. In addition, the huge marketing investment from ASOEX in China also has played a significant role in this item's success.
Besides the excellent quality, the promotions held by ASOEX have made Chilean cherries not only a daily necessity during winter but also the perfect gift during the Chinese New Year.
After years of efforts in China's first-tier cities, Chilean cherries are now focusing on the second and third-tier cities which have great consumption potential.

Frutacloud, a professional B2B service provider for imported fresh fruits, helped ASOEX to conduct launching ceremony for Chilean cherries at Shuangfu Wholesale Market in Chongqing on January 4, 2019. This event successfully ignited the passion for Chilean cherries in Midwest China.
A lot of people might not know, there are two new players from the Southern hemisphere in this past cherry season, Australia and Argentina. Due to the fruit fly issue, the Mainland Australia wasn't able to export to China; Tasmania had some experience exporting premium cherries to China in the earlier years. Fortunately, the Chinese government has approved the import of fumigated cherries, which opens a new chapter for Australian cherries in China.
The history of the cherry plantation in Argentina is actually longer than Chile, but Argentinian cherries are usually for domestic or shorter distance countries. The potential of Argentinian cherries was seen when a small amount of the cherries was exported to Hong Kong in the past decade. And right after Argentina cherry gained protocol into China, Frutacloud sent its procurement team to Argentina for business study, which included orchard visiting and fruit inspection.
In order to provide the best cherries to China, growers gradually eliminate older variety and move the plantations to Nequen, an area with the weather meant to be for cherry plantations. They've brought in the newest planting techniques and the best packaging line, awaiting the Chinese government to open their door for Argentinian cherries.
In the 2018 - 2019 cherry season from Southern hemisphere, Frutacloud was the first one who introduced Argentinian cherries to Chinese consumers by supplying these delicate fruits to Hema.
Even though Australia and Argentina are both in the Southern hemisphere, they have distinct challenges and opportunities in the Chinese Market. Australia is closer to China, so the cost of air freight is lower; however, the quality of the cherries is hard to maintain after fumigation. Argentina can ship fresh cherries using the fast vessel from Chile to China, three times a week. Unlike Chilean Cherries, the chances for shipping Argentinian cherries by air is slim because the cold treatment is required. In addition, Argentina have to pay 10% tariff which Australia and Chile don't have to.
As the demand for cherries is growing stronger, it is believed that China will become one of the most important exporting markets for Argentinian and Australian cherries. Lucky Chinese consumers are provided with more options for cherries.