In MY2021/22, experts have projected that Chilean table grape production will increase by 15.2 percent, totaling 760,000 MT. Exports will increase by 14.2 percent, totaling 600,000 metric tons. For MY2021/22, the estimated apple production stands at 1,036,000 MT a 4.8 percent decrease from MY2020/21 on lower planted area.
Apple exports will total 610,000 MT, a 5.2 percent decrease from MY2020/21. Considering the declining trend in pear planted area, Chile’s MY2021/22 fresh pear production is estimated to decrease by 6.9 percent and total 215,000 metric tons. Pear exports will decrease by 11.5 percent and total 112,000 MT, since shipping costs increased significantly forcing many producers to sell fruit for processing.
The rebound in table grape production is linked to increased productivity because of normalized climatic conditions. In MY2020/21, rainfall damaged the table grape crop in the last week of January 2021, pushing down production by 15.3 percent to only 660,000 metric tons. Despite the increase in production, table grape planted area declined over the past 10 marketing years because of low margins. In MY2021/22 planted area totaled 43,104 hectares, after a 5.2 percent decrease from MY2020/21. Drought is also a problem that has caused a decline in table grape production capacity; that problem persists in MY2021/22.
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Source: apps.fas.usda.gov