Claudia Carbonell, director of the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (PASO), said the maqui was a new growing Chilean export product. "The search for new products, focusing on specific niches, is a contribution to the export growth of our country," she added.
Maqui is a native fruit that has lots of antioxidants, it is consumed fresh or processed into juices, frozen, flour and as powder that can be added to yogurt, smoothies or desserts, among other preparations.
Exports of maqui between January and September 2015 amounted to $4.4 million dollars, 168% more than in the same period last year.
The volume exported in the first nine months of 2015 was 188,758 kilos, 63% over the same period last year.
Maqui was mainly exported frozen, with 88,218 kilos and $670,734 between January and September 2015.
The main destinations by value were Japan (25%), South Korea (24%), Italy (18%), US (16%), Germany (9%), Australia (3%), and Denmark (2%), among others.
The fruit is native to southern Chile and parts of Argentina, and it has a strong demand in developing markets thanks to its high levels of antioxidants. It is quite popular in the south of Chile but it is relatively unknown in much of the country.
Source: PASO