Chile's 2025–2026 agricultural export season is beginning with a focus on quality and controlled volumes, according to Antonio Walker, president of the National Agricultural Society (SNA). The previous season provided lessons for the sector, particularly for cherry exporters, who faced logistical and quality challenges.
In 2024, Chile's agricultural sector grew by 7.4%, more than three times the pace of the national economy. Total shipments reached US$13.5 billion, of which US$9 billion corresponded to fresh fruit exports. Walker said that this year's objective is to improve fruit quality, uniformity, and condition. The first forecast by Frutas de Chile projects 130 million boxes of fruit, a limited volume that would allow exporters to meet higher market standards and avoid oversupply.
"In fresh fruit, last year we had the cherry problem, which was a major crisis, and we hope to do things much better this year, that is, deliver a more uniform product, of better quality and in better condition," Walker said. "The volume is limited; we already saw the first estimate from Frutas de Chile, which speaks of 130 million boxes. I think it's good that we haven't had such a big jump, so the big challenge is the quality and condition of the fruit."
Walker added that the season should benefit from more stable macroeconomic conditions. "It's important that the Agricultural and Livestock Service solves its problems. We must control the fruit fly outbreaks, and we hope to have a relatively normal season. The exchange rate is also good, inflation is more controlled, and input prices have also tended to stabilize."
Reflecting on last season, he emphasized the need for "unity of the industry" and stronger coordination among unions to achieve consistency in quality. "It's extremely important to establish some common minimum standards, some common ground rules," he said. "The Cherry Committee plays a fundamental role in coordinating, setting the rules so we can comply with them, and I think we need to be a little more disciplined in that regard."
On the trade dispute with the United States, Walker said, "Chile has an FTA with the United States; Chile has complied, and they have not. It's a unilateral measure that affects Chile's exports to the United States. It has a significant impact on the profitability of our crops, but Chile is well prepared because it has a broad market portfolio."
He also noted that improving port logistics remains essential to strengthening export efficiency. "Anything that improves logistics, anything that shortens distances, anything that increases cost efficiency greatly helps this chain develop normally. We don't have one megaport; we have seven ports, and the goal is to modernize those seven ports."
The new season begins as Chile addresses fruit fly outbreaks, a key concern for maintaining market access. The first cherry shipments of the season were sent to China by air between October 14 and 16, handled by Global Talsa through Seafrigo Lancargo and by Garcés Fruit.
Source: Blueberries Consulting
