The avocado was an exotic and expensive fruit in the markets of China, something that has changed thanks to the growing trade with Latin America.

China imported more than 30,000 tons of this fruit in 2017, more than 1,000 times the amount it imported in 2011. This higher volume was accompanied by a dro in prices, which went from about 50 yuan ($ 7.56) per unit to 10 in the retail market.

The economic and commercial consul of Peru in Shanghai, Vladimir Kocerha, said the avocado trade has benefited from the tariff reduction applied by China and the continued growth of fruit imports from Latin American.

Last year, China imported 8,800 tons of avocado from Mexico, 16,700 from Chile, and 6,700 from Peru.

Chile exports more avocado to China because it guarantees a stable export and doesnt have to pay tariffs due thanks to a free trade agreement it has with China, according to Shanghai Supafresh Trading, a Chinese fruit trader with years of experience.

Kocerha said that, as the trade between China and Peru increases, Chinese trade and logistics companies are investing more in Peru, which facilitates shipments. Peruvian avocados can reach the Chinese market in just one week by air and with a lower transport cost than before.

The consul said that tens of thousands of Peruvians work in the avocado trade. The country considers that the avocados were their pioneer fruit export, which will be followed by other fruits, as well as by wool products.

The increase in agricultural exports is expected to help create 1.3 million jobs in Peru in 2018, which would amount to a 15 percent year on year increase, according to the association of exporters in this country.

The bilateral trade between China and Peru surpassed 20 billion dollars for the first time in 2017

China is now the third largest market for Latin America. Exports to China accounted for 10 percent of the regions total exports in 2017, a sharp increase from the year 2000, when they only accounted for one percent.

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