According to a recent report by Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (PASO), Chile's volume of fruit exports grew substantially in January while the value of exports fell as average prices decreased by a quarter.
According to the study, Chile exported 230.913 tons of fresh fruit in the first month of the year, i.e. 23.5% over the same period of 2016. However, there was a sharp drop in the price of most raw materials that decreased income during the period.
In its recent newsletter, Odepa stated that exports fell in value by 39% and amounted to $544.95 million dollars. This figure does not include the reported change in value (IVV), which implies that the final values can be adjusted within six months after the declaration of shipments, due to their shipping nature.
Table grapes and nectarines were an important part of the increase in volume, in which there was more fruit for virtually all major categories, except cherries and blueberries, as the season started earlier in this campaign.
Prices declined for most crops. However, lemon prices increased by 76% and apple prices by 8%, and avocado prices by 7%.
The value of Chilean exports in January 2017 decreased by 39% over the previous year.
Source: rionegro.com.ar