Chilean Cherry Ice and Snow Festival Launches in Changchun as Cherry Season in China Reaches Peak

January 12, 2026

Produce Report

The warmth of the Southern Hemisphere met the energy of China’s winter sports culture on Jan. 10 as the Chilean Cherry Ice and Snow Festival officially launched in Changchun. Initiated by the Chilean Cherry Committee of Frutas de Chile, the nationwide promotion connects premium modern lifestyle concepts with traditional cultural values such as festive gifting and family reunion — placing Chilean cherries at the center of both.

Held at the Changchun Ice and Snow World, the festival launch featured attendance by representatives of the Jilin province and Changchun city governments; Pablo Arriarán Ahumada, Chile’s ambassador to China; Yu Lu, vice president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products; Ivan Marambio, chairman of Frutas de Chile; and Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee.

Attendees were further wowed by a surprise celebrity appearance from Golden Horse-winning actress Ma Sichun, narrator of the documentary “Sweet Miracle,” which debuted on CCTV in December and became CCTV’s top fruit-related documentary of 2025.

The launch, together with a parallel themed activation at Songhua Lake Ski Resort, transformed winter sports venues into immersive cherry-themed experiences. Highlights included cherry ice sculptures, interactive installations, cherry tastings and drone performances illuminating the night sky, linking Chilean cherries with winter sports, leisure and social occasions. Influencer participation, media coverage and coordinated online-to-offline promotions extended the event’s reach nationwide.

“Powered by the bilateral Chile–China Free Trade Agreement, which came into force in 2006, economic and cultural exchange between our two countries has flourished,” said Arriarán. “Bilateral trade reached $61.66 billion in 2024, 8.6 times that of 2006 and the highest per-capita bilateral trade level between China and any South American country.

“Cherries are one of the biggest stars of this trade. Chile exported nearly $3.3 billion worth of cherries to China during the 2024/25 season. With their auspicious red color conveying the warmth of the Chilean sun to China during winter, cherries are truly a fitting symbol of the vibrant ties linking our countries — an everyday luxury and healthy indulgence suitable for people of all ages and lifestyles.”

“The Chilean Cherry Ice and Snow Festival demonstrates the close collaboration between China and Chile in agricultural trade,” said Yu. “By jointly cultivating consumer demand and creating innovative consumption occasions, both sides are supporting the sustainable and long-term development of the cherry industry.”

“In Chile, farming is in our blood and we strive to reflect the passion for our fruits in the cherries we export to China,” said Marambio. “As highlighted in last month’s groundbreaking CCTV documentary ‘Sweet Miracle,’ Chilean cherries are an exceptional product: grown with care in fertile soils, nourished by water originating in the Andes and then meticulously sorted. Each season, the highest grade and most premium cherries are selected for export to China.”

Soler added, “Chilean cherries are high in potassium, low in sodium, and contain magnesium and anthocyanins, making them well suited to modern, health-conscious lifestyles.”

Ice and Snow Festival: A National Lifestyle Platform

The Ice and Snow Festival is not designed exclusively for winter sports enthusiasts or cold-weather regions, but as a seasonal theme that travels nationally through retail, lifestyle and festive consumption scenarios.

Running from Christmas through the Spring Festival, the festival will continue to roll out in retailers nationwide following the Changchun launch.

“The Ice and Snow Festival is a national lifestyle platform,” said Soler. “It allows us to consistently communicate that Chilean cherries are a lifestyle upgrade — over everyday fruit and over highly processed snacks. They support modern, health-conscious living, while also fitting perfectly into traditional gifting and family-sharing occasions. This message is relevant across regions, not just in colder parts of China.”