As the 2016-2017 Argentinean cherry productive campaign nears its end, producers confirm that overall there's been a positive balance. "Despite some weather difficulties that we experienced, we were able to once again, show our cherries to the world. The most important problem we had to face was the increased supply of inferior quality fruit that the American and European markets received when compared to the 2015 campaign," Matthias Notti, commercial manager of Cerezas Argentinas, stated.
These markets received more volumes mainly because, due to climatic complications, Chile had to seek alternative destinations to place its fruit. "Chile's situation complicated things for us this year. Basically, they didn't achieve the quality they've achieved in other years and were unable to supply their main market, China. Consequently they had to place large amounts of fruit in secondary markets," the representative said.
"At one point we found the market had unforeseen volumes of Chilean cherries and when the market is flooded prices fall significantly. What this means for us, as Argentine producers, is that despite having achieved a higher product quality this campaign, differentiating it and convincing an entire market, where prices were so low, was very difficult," Notti said.
Matias Notti also highlighted that one of the group's companies, Frutos de los Lagos SA, had obtained organic certification for its cherries this year, which makes it one of the few companies in South America that has this certificate. "We made our first approach and sent some shipments to the United States in this campaign. This segment is very developed in the US and some supermarkets to which we arrive directly have a strong focus on the organic concept. One of our priority goals for 2017 is the opening and developing of new markets, so we certainly hope that Argentina develops good ties with China in the short term," he stated.
For more information:
MatÃas Notti
Cerezas Argentinas
T: + 54 911 6619 1007