The heavy frosts had a devastating effect on the production of kiwi in Chile.
In many cases, the crop wasn't even harvested. "We had an 80% reduction in the amount of fruit, but harvesting the remaining 20% had a high cost, so this production was diverted to other purposes," said a producer.
Chilean kiwi exports in the 2012 season, as in 2013, amounted to nearly 209,000 tons, showing growth over the previous years. However, by week 25 of this season, the country had only shipped 71,000 tons in contrast to the 137,000 tons that had been exported by the same date in 2013, i.e. a 49% drop. Exports for the remainder of the year are expected to increase.
The main destination for the Chilean kiwi production, 95% of which is made up of the Hayward variety, is Europe. In 2013, nearly 50% of the country's kiwi exports were destined to this market, meanwhile, in 2014, they have experienced a fall of around 65%.
Other major buyers are Latin America and the U.S., which together receive 35% of the shipments. The level exported to these markets in 2014 has fallen by 48%.
It's not only the frost
Like New Zealand, the Chileans also face the scourge of the PSA, which is caused by a bacterium that attacks the plants, drastically reducing production.
"The PSA has been a major concern for our industry. The Chilean Kiwi Committee is cooperating with producers, who have done a great job, to develop procedures to prevent the spread of this disease. Said procedures are being disseminated via seminars, lectures and the distribution of informational materials."
The producer said he was optimistic that they would be able to control the bacteria and commented that the expectations for next year were to recover the production level reached in 2013.