The President of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (ASOEX), Ronald Bown Fernandez, reported the end of the nectarines and peaches export season and stated that total shipments of both species had amounted to 98,200 tons, i.e. 11.4 % more than in the previous season.
Nectarines led exports of these two stone fruits with a volume of 66,940 tons, i.e. 8% more than last season. Peaches exports amounted to 31,260 tons, i.e. 20% more than last season.
The distribution by market varied according to each species. In the case of Nectarines, North America remained the first destination market, as it accounted for 34% of exports. The Far East followed with 31%, i.e. 51% more than in the previous season. This highlights the importance that the Asian market has earned as a destination for this fruit, especially China, after it opened its ports to this Chilean fruit in February 2017.
Brown highlighted the marketing strategies they had carried out in this market to inform consumers of the presence of nectarines in China, and boost their consumption. "We carried out several creative promotional actions in the Chinese markets of Shanghai and Jiangnan during the season that just ended. The activities included tastings and exhibitions in wholesale markets and retail outlets; in addition to interviews and publications in the local press, as well as a seminar via WeChat," he said.
The President of ASOEX also said that, to enhance the health of this fruit, and the need to take care of it and clean it, after the Chinese New Year celebrations, the nectarines campaign was aimed at highlighting the health and nutritional properties of this fruit under the slogan, Make your life bloom with Chilean nectarines. In addition, they promoted sports activities in a Shanghai gym, which allowed linking this fruit to its health benefits.
In terms of destination, the peach markets maintained the same rankings as in the previous season, with North America in first place and then Latin America with a 60% and 35% share, respectively.
At the regional level, for both species, the RM and VI region showed the largest share in the volume exported.
In the case of nectarines, the VI region registered a 68% share, followed by the RM with 28%. In peaches, the VI region contributed 57% of the exported volume, while the RM contributed 35%.
The leading exporters of nectarines and peaches were Gesex SA with 1,780,600 boxes, followed by Verfrut SA with 1,172,932 boxes, Greenvic with 862,963, Geofrut with 817,392, and Lo Garces with 617,852 boxes. These 5 companies accounted for 46% of the total volume exported from Chile.
Source: SimFRUIT