More than 360 retail buyers, from the wholesale and FoodService sectors, participated in this version of the West Coast Produce Expo. The expo was, for the first time, sponsored by Chile's Citrus Committee, which allowed it to show the great quality and diverse properties of its products.
"This is the second year that Chile's Citrus Committee has participated and it was the perfect moment to meet with buyers, as Chile's citrus season has just begun and we are forecasting an 17% increase in production for 2018," stated Steve Hattendorf, Western US Regional Merchandiser of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) of North America.
Chile is currently the main supplier of Navels and easy peelers for North America, offering a consistent volume and quality of fruit to retailers and their customers. Last season, the country shipped a total of 270,397 tons of citrus, 223,619 of which were sent to the US.
During the 2017 season, 14,869 tons of Clementines, 21,539 tons of Mandarins, 25,230 tons of Navel Oranges, and 20,607 tons of Limes entered the United States through the West Coast. According to data from ASOEX/EXPORTADA, that season Chile sent 25,396 tons of Clementines, 49,606 tons of Mandarins, 44,049 tons of Oranges, and 22,322 tons of Limes to the East Coast of the United States.
Source: eleconomistaamerica.cl