Despite spring rain early in the season Chilean cherries have registered their second biggest export season to China and other world markets this year, with 412 thousand tons that have been sent. According to Claudia Soler, head of the Chilean cherry committee: “The biggest volume started to arrive from January 15th onwards. We highlight that up to now this is the second most important season in terms of volume, after 2022-2023 and the most important to China, a market to which more than 376 thousands of tons have already been sent.”
The Frutas de Chile team celebrating the Chinese New Year.
She says in terms of exports, to date, 412 thousand tons have been sent, which represents a slight decrease of -0,7% compared to the same period of the previous season. “The condition and quality of our fruit has been good. Exporters know the importance of quality for the sustainable development of the industry in the future and, for the same reason, in the early varieties, which were more affected by the rains in spring, but did not suffer damage. Air shipments were privileged, ensuring the condition of the fruit.”
Soler says the expectations are good: “Mainly due to the good quality of the fruit that has been seen so far. And the level of investment that is being made in the markets that helps encourage demand and increase knowledge and interest in the category. We estimate that we should end up around a value very near to last season, where we exceeded 415 thousand tons.”
Besides China she says there has been a very good reception from consumers for the Chilean cherries in all their destination markets. “The fruit has rotated well. Differences have only existed in relation to a decrease in volumes in other markets, not China, not due to a lack of consumption, but rather to a decrease in our first shipments due to spring rains. In general, logistics in both Chile and China have generally worked very well, despite the closure of the port of Valparaíso during the second week of January, because of the storm surges, which allowed them to finally leave for their destination.”
The Frutas de Chile team celebrating the Chinese New Year in China.
The later Chinese New Year last week, with many people still on holiday there, allowed a good flow of exports, while Chilean exporters had a longer sales period for this very popular fruit.
“To date, this is the second most important season in terms of volume, after 2022-2023, and the most important to China, a market to which 376,345 tons have already been sent. Quality has been good and prices stable,” concludes Soler.
For more information:
Claudia Soler Bottinelli
Chilean Cherry Committee
Tel: +56 2 24724700
Email: contact@fruitsfromchile.com
www.fruitsfromchile.com/fruit/cherries