Taking a decisive step toward the digitalization of trade flows, Chile, together with China, has launched a system for fully digital phytosanitary certification. The initiative strengthens the competitiveness of Chilean agricultural exports, particularly cherries, grapes, and plums, most of which are destined for the Chinese market.
The Chilean Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) has officially launched a pilot project for electronic phytosanitary certification with the People's Republic of China, without the use of paper-based documents. The plan, which began on November 1st, is the result of a bilateral agreement made during the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture’s Asian mission last May.
With approximately 25% of Chile’s agricultural exports bound for China, the implementation of a fully digital system represents a strategic milestone. This is a significant step forward that not only enhances safety and traceability but also improves the efficiency of the entire export process.
As emphasized by SAG’s interim national director, Rodrigo Sotomayor, this digital partnership with China makes Chile one of the few countries in the world to have implemented electronic phytosanitary certification with Beijing.
The system is based on the ePhyto (Electronic Phytosanitary Certification) agreement, fully adopted in a paperless format. Since 2019, Chile has progressively extended this approach to over 42 countries, issuing approximately 143,000 electronic certificates annually—accounting for 75% of the total—through the "Multipuerto" system.
The new digital format covers a wide range of products: fresh produce (including cherries, grapes, and plums), grains, flowers, timber, and plant propagation materials such as seeds and bulbs. The direct benefits for exporters are substantial: less bureaucracy, cost reductions, faster delivery times, and improved phytosanitary reliability in international markets.
With this step forward, SAG reinforces its role as a key player in the digitalization of Chile's agricultural sector. The initiative not only raises standards of sustainability and transparency, but also aligns the country with the world’s best practices in facilitating international trade.
With the export of cherries and other fresh fruits at the core of Chile–China trade relations, the future of the sector increasingly relies on smart technologies and integrated processes.
Text and image source: diariofruticola.cl
09 Jun 2023
Recent research published by the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences looked at consumer attitudes in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina towards the appearance and taste of cherries. The online survey was conducted with 402 respondents.
02 Jan 2025
Leptopilina japonica joins Ganaspis brasiliensis in the Fondazione Edmund Mach trial. Although Ganaspis brasiliensis remains the leading candidate, it is expected that the two insects can work synergistically to enhance control efficacy.
10 Apr 2026
The first Spanish greenhouse cherries reach the European market with very limited volumes and prices up to €80/kg. Strong demand from the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the UK, while the open-field season may start later than usual, impacting exports.
10 Apr 2026
A study on 22 sweet cherry cultivars in Zaragoza examines how warmer winters affect dormancy and flowering. Declining winter chill alters phenology and threatens yield, varietal adaptation and long-term sustainability in Mediterranean growing regions.
