A notable increase, close to 40%, was recorded by fruit shipments from Puerto Valparaíso during the 2016-2017 season, according to the closing assessment conducted by the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, Asoex.
The national cycle culminated with a favorable increase of 4.3% in relation to the 2015-2016 season, with a volume of exports of 2,597,756 tons. Table grapes stood out with 732,000 tons (+6.5%), red apples with 616,000 tons and kiwis with 179,393 tons.
Asoex head Ronald Bown, said in a statement that "the season was affected by adverse weather factors for fruit growing as there were the frosts, and unexpected rains that had effects on the production and shipments abroad." It added as an incidental factor in the harvesting advance that in turn led to advancing exports.
According to the Asoex report, Valparaíso was confirmed as the main port of departure for horticultural exports, completing 1,675,430 tonnes exported from its terminals 1 and 2, an equivalent to a total increase of 457,760 tonnes, that is, 38% more than in the previous period. The growth experienced by the ports of Coquimbo and Coronel were also highlighted.
In Puerto Valparaíso, as well as at a national level, table grapes stood out with 497,000 tons (+22%), red apples with 252,000 tons (+43%), avocados with 130,000 tons (+127%), kiwis with 102,000 tons (+33%) and cherries with 76,000 (+35%).
The products exported from Valparaíso that had a greater percentage of increase with respect to the previous season were the onion (+890%); plumcot, (a hybrid between plum and apricot) (+266%); sarsaparilla (+150%); and avocado with 127%.
Intense and favorable season
Carlos Vera, logistics manager for Puerto Valparaíso, said that "in the 2015-16 season there were some interesting signs which anticipated that Puerto Valparaíso's 2016-2017 fruit season would be quite intense and favorable, and, as can be seen from the figures, it has been, closing with 457,000 more tons transferred by our dealers compared to the previous period. "
According to the executive, that is consistent with the increase that exports that go through Valparaiso have had this year, accumulating 28% more than last year up to August, mainly in copper, wine and fruit.
"This growth is related in part due to a favorable dollar price, and low frost occurrence, which in previous years had caused shipments to remain at similar levels. We believe that this increase has been well supported by the port's structure, and that of its concessionaires, which speaks well of a consolidated and coordinated logistics model in the face of such important increases as the one that occurred," concluded Carlos Vera.
Source: mundomaritimo.cl