The 2025–26 Chilean cherry export campaign has officially begun, with the first air shipment departing from Santiago, Chile, on October 21. Around two tons of cherries were transported via LATAM Cargo Group, stopping in Auckland, New Zealand, before arriving in China on October 17. The airfreight season will continue through mid-December, linking Chilean growers with Asian markets to ensure the timely delivery of fresh fruit.
© LATAM Cargo
Early in the season, air transport is essential for moving early-ripening varieties that must reach destination markets quickly to meet strong demand ahead of the Chinese New Year. During this phase, logistics operations are adjusted to handle increasing export volumes while maintaining product quality throughout the journey.
According to iQonsulting's 2024 International Cherry Market Yearbook, Chile represents 97% of southern hemisphere cherry exports, with about 90% of production shipped to China. In 2024, LATAM Cargo transported the largest share of Chile's cherry exports by air. For the 2025 season, the company expects to handle more than 6,000 tons of cherries, an increase of nearly 10% from the previous year.
© LATAM Cargo
The shipments are supported by LATAM Cargo's South American network, which includes 165 destinations across 31 countries, 12 of which are dedicated exclusively to cargo. This connectivity enables access to key perishable markets in Asia and other regions during the short export window.
For more information:
LATAM Cargo
Tel: +57 1 800 093 1111
Email: [email protected]
www.latamairlines.com
