Argentinian cherry exporters are happy with their 2023/24 season, where they reached record exports of almost 7,000 tons. According to Jonatan Carballo, Sales Manager at Emelka SA in Argentina, "It was a record season for Argentina in terms of cherry exports, almost 7,000 tons of cherries were exported, a figure not reached in previous years."
He says the main destination was China, which accounted for more than 30% of exports, followed by the USA, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates in descending order. "These destinations are the ones that account for 80% of the Exports of the 2023/2024 season. We had very good demand, with production and qualities that accompanied the situation in the main varieties exportable by Argentina, with prices generally supported by the main markets."
Carballo says they had a very good year last year up unto the start of this year. "We had a generally very good year, for the volumes and qualities of fruit. Only the last varieties suffered because there were heavy rains and this affected their quality a little. For most exporters this export campaign has ended, and we are already thinking about the next one that will begin in mid-November. Therefore, we must do the corresponding tasks and work to wait for the new fruit to arrive at harvest time."
Emelka SA are producers and exporters of cherries based in the Chimpay, Middle Valley of the Province of Rio Negro in Argentina. They produce mainly pears, apples, cherries and stone fruits.
Hope for support from new Argentine Government
He says the fruit industry in Argentina are hoping the new Government will support them more to realise the potential the industry holds. "Regarding the change of Government, we hope that there will be important changes regarding the Argentine economic situation, since the previous model punished exports and agricultural production. So, we are looking forward to the conditions for Argentina to once again produce large volumes of fresh fruit, with the quality to which we are accustomed," concludes Carballo.
For more information:
Jonatan Carballo
Emelka SA
Tel: +54 9 113 599 1190
Email: jcarballo@emelka.com.ar
www.emelka.com.ar