|
Chile hopes to lead Vietnam’s wine market
Chile could replace France as the largest provider of wine in the Vietnamese market once the Chile - Vietnam free trade agreement (FTA) takes effect, said a former Chilean trade union official.
When the FTA is implemented, the import tax on Chilean wine shipped to Vietnam will drop from 56 per cent to 20 per cent this year and will approach zero over the next 11 years, said Rene Merino, the former president of Vinos de Chile, who accompanied Chilean President Sebastian Pinera during his recent Vietnam visit.
Chilean wine now accounts for 20 per cent of the Vietnamese market, second only to France, which claims 35 per cent.
According to preliminary statistics released by Chilean customs, Chile exported $10 million worth of wine to Vietnam in 2011.
About 30 Chilean wine producers are currently exporting their products to Vietnam.
Chile, which is the largest exporter of wine in Latin America, was placed only seventh among wine suppliers to Vietnam in 2002.
De Vicente, director of the Chilean government’s trade promotion agency, said the bilateral FTA will open doors for Chile’s industrial products and fruit, including grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, and cherries, to penetrate the Vietnamese market, while Vietnam can increase its exports of wooden products, fruit and fish to Chile.
vir
|
