The Coquimbo Region's cherry production season has started with a positive outlook, making this fruit an important option for diversifying local agro-exports. Thanks to the area's climate, the harvest begins earlier than in other regions, enabling early fruit to reach international markets and maintain competitive prices.
Paola Vásquez, the regional director of ProChile Coquimbo, stated that cherries are increasingly part of the regional export supply and are in high demand on global markets.
Vásquez also highlighted that the fruit meets the standards required by major markets and emphasized ongoing efforts, with support from ProChile, to open new markets in Asia, Europe, and South America for local producers and exporters.
Agronomist and producer Jorge Astudillo, who advises on early cherry crops, said that the season began with the Brooks variety, a key regional type, and that the outlook is promising. "The projections stand at approximately 1,500 tons. The main benefit is the ability to produce early with high quality to be among the first to reach China," he stated.
Astudillo added that, while China remains the main destination, efforts are being made with exporters to diversify markets into countries such as Korea, Japan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, and several Central and South American nations. They are also exploring opportunities in the Middle East.
According to ProChile, Chilean cherry exports reached $3.091 billion in 2024, a 50.6% increase over the previous year. In this context, the Coquimbo Region accounted for $13 million in shipments, a 95.2% increase compared to 2023.
Source: radiomontecarlo.cl
