It is a vicious circle, because as a result of the frosts and droughts, the fruit is smaller or imperfect, or loses its quality while stranded in striking ports.
Delays also take place in the shipments to destinations that are eagerly awaiting them because they have programmes established with supermarkets and other retailers, which can easily switch the Chilean fruit for the produce from other countries. Table grapes, blueberries and kiwis are the most affected products.
Even though export volumes grew by 5.4% last year and Chile made 4,070 million dollars in revenue, shipments to the U.S. market have dropped. Exporters would appear to be giving priority to the Asian market, particularly to destinations like Hong Kong, South Korea and China.
According to Manasevich, Chile's image as an exporter should not be neglected, especially now that competition keeps getting tighter.
Source: gestion.pe