As a result of the frosts in September, Chilean exports of nectarines, peaches, apricots and plums decreased by 59 % in 2013 over the previous year, said the sector's entrepreneurs.
According to a statement from the Association of Exporters of Fruits Chile (ASOEX), before the frosts, the export volume of peaches had reached 33,000 tons and that of nectarines 63,000 tons, volumes that were similar to those recorded in the 2012-2013 season.
Plum shipments, which were expected to increase by 6%, led export volumes as they amounted to more than 44,000 tons, 62% less than in the previous year.
The report noted that while the shipments of stonefruits ended in week 24 in the previous season, this year they came to an end in week 18 because of the lower production volume.
Nectarines export volume reached 25,000 tons, 59% less than in the last season.
The peach was the fruit that was affected the least by the weather and its exports amounted to 18,000 tons, 45% less than in the previous year.
Apricot exports decreased by 75% and amounted to 311 tons.
31% of the Chilean plums were sent to the U.S. market, 25% to Latin America and 22% to the Far East.
The United States has gained prominence as a destination market for stonefruits while Europe, which ranked second last year, is now the country's fourth major destination market.
The United States is still the main destination of nectarines with 44% of total exports, followed by Latin America and the Far East with 27% and 15%, respectively.
The U.S. absorbed 58% of the Chilean exports of peaches and Latin America 37%. 74% of the Chilean apricots were exported to the U.S., 22% to Latin America, and the remaining 4% to the rest of the markets.
Source: El DÃnamo