Xi Jinping’s Chile trip to boost Chilean wines

Chinese president Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Chile, the first of its kind by a Chinese state leader to the South American country in 12 years, is expected to give a huge boost to Chilean wine exports to China, reports official Chinese newspaper People’s Daily. 

In 2015, Chilean wine exports to China stood at US$175 million, a 41% increase in value over the previous year after China abolished all tariffs on Chilean wines in the same year. 

Since signing a Free Trade Agreement in 2005, China has become Chile’s biggest trade partner, and Chile has grown into China’s third largest trade partner in Latin America.

Concha y Toro’s Asia director Christian Lopez, said the visit, part of Xi’s Latin American trip from 17 to 23 November, is anticipated to deepen the cooperation between the two countries and create new opportunities.

“For many Chilean wineries actively pursuing the China market, to be able to witness president Xi Jinping’s visit is an honour,” Lopez was quoted as saying in the report.

Chile currently is China’s third biggest wine importing country by value after France and Australia.