Chilean blueberry exports significantly lower than estimates

Chilean blueberry exports the past two weeks are significantly lower than had been estimated. Exports in Week 1 totalled 2,600 tons, as compared to the 7,900 tons that had been estimated, a situation that also occurred the previous week. The drop off in blueberry exports is the result of several factors, including mid-week holidays that interfered with normal harvest operations and the San Antonio port strike that began January 3, a strike that impacted exports not only that week, but the next as well.

The phytosanitary measures implemented by the USDA, of course, also had an impact in diminishing blueberry exports to the U.S. market. Currently the situation is not as clear as it might be, as there is fruit available for export and the harvest has proceeded in a relatively normal fashion from the south central and southern zones of the country. It is interesting to note that the frozen industry has not been a great focus of attention.

While it is true that frozen volumes have increased in recent weeks, in global terms the amount of frozen fruit is lower than it was at this same time last season. This indicates that fruit is available, awaiting approval of the USDA protocol for fumigation at destination ports, what has already been corroborated, which will mean a resumption of normal shipments to the U.S. market in the next few days.

Source: Chilean Blueberry Committee