Frutas de Chile Donates 1 Million Yuan To Protect Giant Pandas

January 16, 2025

Jing Zang

On Jan. 16, Frutas de Chile and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding held a donation ceremony and signed a memorandum of understanding in Chengdu. The event was attended by Jiang Bin, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chengdu Municipal Government, José Miguel Vial, Consul General of Chile in Chengdu, and leaders from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce, Sichuan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, China Council for the Promotion of International Trades and Sichuan Center for Agricultural Foreign Cooperation and Exchange.

The Chilean Cherry Committee under Frutas de Chile will donate goods worth 1 million Chinese yuan ($136,400) in 2025 to improve facilities and equipment for giant pandas, creating an environment closer to their natural habitat.

The global population of captive giant pandas currently stands at approximately 757. Established in 1987, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a world-renowned center for ex-situ conservation, scientific research, breeding, public education and cultural tourism focused on giant pandas. The base is presently home to 260 giant pandas.

Chile has been exporting cherries and other fruits to China for nearly 20 years, with over 90% of its cherries sold to the Chinese market each year. To express its gratitude and further strengthen ties between the two nations, Frutas de Chile has chosen to support the welfare and conservation of China’s national treasure — the giant panda.

Pandas are among China’s most iconic cultural symbols, while Chilean cherries, a signature fruit of Chile, have gradually become a staple of Chinese festivities. During Chinese New Year in particular, Chilean cherries are highly prized by consumers for their exceptional taste, nutritional value and festive symbolism.

Frutas de Chile is a non-profit organization representing Chile’s fresh fruit growers and exporters. Its members are committed to providing healthy, safe and high-quality products to consumers worldwide. Members of Frutas de Chile account for approximately 96% of Chile’s total fresh fruit export value.

The Chilean Cherry Committee prioritizes the safety and quality of its members’ products. Chilean cherries undergo stringent inspections at every stage from orchard to table. Automated systems minimize human handling as the cherries are washed, sorted and packaged, with advanced cold-chain logistics and packaging technologies preserving their freshness. These strict measures ensure that the cherries are free from pesticide residues and chemical preservatives, meeting the highest standards of quality.

A representative of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding noted that the donation from Frutas de Chile comes at an ideal time. It will enhance the pandas’ living environment and facilities, bringing added benefits and joy to their lives.

Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile, told reporters that the opportunities presented by the Chilean fruit trade greatly benefit both the Chilean fruit industry and Chinese trade, none of which would be possible without Chinese consumers. Frutas de Chile is committed to expanding the presence of Chilean fruits on the Chinese market. As part of this strategy, the association is developing a long-term plan to give back to China and engage in meaningful social responsibility initiatives, such as the giant panda conservation project.

As Chinese New Year approaches, the donation from Chile to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding underscores the strong friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee, remarked that this donation not only contributes to the conservation of this iconic species but also symbolizes a shared commitment to protecting nature and promoting sustainable and responsible agricultural practices. As China is the primary destination for Chilean cherry exports, giving back to China is of great significance to the Chilean fruit sector. This donation initiative plays a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of giant pandas.