The Chilean Blueberry Committee-ASOEX stated the industry was ready to face the upcoming 2021-2022 season. According to estimates from iQonsulting and the Committee, the country will export 117,000 tons of fresh blueberries, i.e. a similar volume to the one exported in the previous season.
“We estimate we'll achieve a new production record of 178,000 tons, as a result of new plantations and the renewal of varieties with higher productivity. However, since the method to select the fruit to be exported fresh will be more rigorous, the production increase will be mainly channeled towards the export of frozen/IQF and the domestic market,” the Committee stated.
The estimate also shows that varietal replacement is a reality in Chile, they added. "The new varieties already account for 25% of the production, these plantations are in their growing yield stage and increase the production and improve the offer's quality."
Organic blueberry production in Chile will also increase and the sector expects that 18% of the fresh blueberries and 27% of the frozen blueberries will be organic.
Challenges
The export estimate made by the Chilean Blueberry Committee-Asoex is a very relevant input for the industry to program the next season. However, the season that is starting in Chile looks challenging.
According to the Committee, since producers have very efficient technical irrigation systems, the drought shouldn't have much of an impact on the production and export of blueberries this season.
The two biggest problems faced by the sector this season are the availability of manpower and port logistics. According to estimates, the lack of labor will reduce the harvest of fresh blueberries by 7% of its potential production (already incorporated in the estimate) and will increase the production of frozen blueberries by 10% over the previous season.
On the other hand, the impact of logistical difficulties is very difficult to estimate and exporters are currently working hard on scheduling shipments with shipping companies to minimize this problem, which is affecting the transport of all world trade.
The country has dispatched 110.5 tons of fresh blueberries in the current 2021-22 season (up to September 23), i.e. 44% less than by the same date in the previous season. The season has started slower, but the sector expects it will advance rapidly because the weather forecast indicates the temperature will increase in the coming days in the areas that are currently being harvested.
Source: simfruit.cl
