Hey everyone! Ever thought that cherries could lead to big economic shifts? 🍒 This season, Chinese consumers are enjoying premium cherries at half the price of last year, thanks to steady shipments from Chile across the Pacific.
For seven consecutive years, Chile has been the top cherry export destination, with over 92% of its production making its way to Chinese tables. And it isn’t just cherries—specialty products like Ecuadorian bananas, Nicaraguan honey, Peruvian blueberries, and Honduran whiteleg shrimp are spicing things up, offering fresh choices for today's savvy consumers.
The trade relationship between China and Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) has been on a massive upswing. Since 2012, China has become a key partner for Chile, Brazil, and Peru. By 2024, bilateral trade hit an incredible $500 billion—a nearly 40-fold increase since 2000! With cumulative direct investments reaching $600 billion, the Chinese mainland is clearly making waves in the region. 🚀
Free trade agreements (FTAs) are a big part of the story too. China has inked FTAs with Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. More recently, an early harvest FTA with Honduras was signed, and negotiations to upgrade the FTA with Peru are underway, further strengthening these important economic ties.
This dynamic blend of culinary delights and booming trade shows how international relations can impact everyday life and global markets alike. Stay tuned as these trends continue to evolve and shape the future of global commerce!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
