China’s fruit sector now receives better industry support from a new non-governmental organization, China Association of Entry and Exit Inspection and Quarantine, Fruit Industrial Department.

At the 2004 Shenzhen International Fruit and Technology Exhibition, which began Thursday, the new organization held on-the-spot consultations for all export-oriented Chinese fruit enterprises. Founded in September, the fruit department aims to build a bridge linking the government and the fruit industry. Safeguarding the interests of domestic enterprises and setting high standards are the major tasks on the new organization’s agenda.

“We are more like a nationwide fruit industry association. We rely on the strength of the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to provide enterprises with better service in their access to the international market,” said Wang Ru with the new fruit department.

Since China entered the WTO family, the export of fruit has become a corporate strategy for many Chinese enterprises. Since most private fruit enterprises are scattered across rural areas, they have few opportunities to know about international technological standards and how the international market operates, putting them in an unfavorable position to compete with their foreign counterparts. “The apple is the trademark of our region. There is no doubt the quality of our apples are world class,” said Lin Bo, manager of Shandong Yantai Fruit and Vegetable Co.

“However, after I paid a visit to the United States, I found our sales and distribution backward compared with foreign fruit producers. We lack information about the international marketplace, so our apples are still not well-known abroad.”

“We often hear about anti-dumping cases. I know foreign countries are strict with food imports, but I don’t quite understand their export requirements, they are too complicated,” said Xie Ping, a fruit producer from Yunnan Province.

The newly established Fruit Industry Department is collecting suggestions and information from fruit producers, related government departments and scholars to formulate standards on fruit export, give an evaluation and risk assessment of access to the global market. “So far there is no such standard in China. This time, we will formulate very detailed standards for each kind of fruit like apples, oranges and pears,” Wang said.

Wang said if any export dispute occurs, the department would act as the industry’s fully-fledged representative to negotiate with the other party.

The new organization will not only post the latest standards and information in the international fruit market on their Web site but also periodically organize events for lectures to study the import and export management policies.

(Shenzhen Daily October 29, 2004)