The cherry sector was one of the most affected by the recent rains in Chile's mid-south area, as according to SimFRUIT'S President of the Cherry Committee, Cristian Tagle, "the fruit split in half, damaging its chances for export."
According to the executive, preliminary estimates indicate that between 44,500 and 45,500 tonnes will be exported this season, which is 37% less than last year. "Although we will have more precise data in the coming weeks," he said.
Tagle added that in certain production areas, given the fruit's condition, some producers decided not to harvest, while others report an almost 50% drop in exportable production.
It is worth noting that of the total Chilean cherry production, close to 85% is exported to various international markets, so the export sector is the most affected by the rains.
Regarding destinations, the Committee's representative pointed out that shipments to Asia, particularly to China, will fall between 20 and 25%, and that the United States and Europe will be the most affected markets, with falls of approximately 30 to 40%.
It is important to mention that October's estimates for the current 2012/13 campaign had predicted Chilean cherry exports to increase by 11%, reaching 78,000 tonnes, compared to the 71,000 shipped during 2011/12, which in turn had meant a 23% growth compared to the figures of the 2010/11 campaign.
Source: SimFRUIT