According to information provided to SimFRUIT by the Committee of the Cherries Fruit Exporters Association of Chile AG, ASOEX the industry expects cherry production for this new export season 2014-2015 will amount to nearly 100,000 tons.
ASOEX also stated that China would continue to be the main target market for Chilean cherries and that they had invested more than USD $600,000 on an unprecedented promotional campaign this year. The campaign has the support of ProChile.
Another interesting market is the US that, according to forecasts, will increase its purchases of cherry when compared to the previous season. Chile is also working to increase the volume of exports to Brazil by at least 10%. In the latter market, the Committee will conduct, for the first time, a promotional campaign during the month of January 2015, especially aimed at the city of São Paulo, as it is the largest trading centre for the Chilean cherries in Brazil.
Export peaks are expected to happen in weeks 49, 50 and 51. Chile has already sent its first air shipments of cherries to Europe (Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid) and the Far East.
The first air shipments of Chilean cherry were dispatched last week. In total, 622 boxes, of 5 kilos each (3.1 tons), were shipped. 366 of them were destined for the European market and 256 boxes to the Far East.
The Committee stated that they had lost less than 2% of the production to the frost in October. Thus, they are very optimistic about this season's volumes and results.
Exports
According to figures from ASOEX, exports in the 2013-2014 cherry campaign amounted to 68,313 tons, 30.6% more than in the previous season (2012-2013), but 4.4% less than the record obtained during the 2011-2012 season, which amounted to 71.459 tons of cherries.
Asia was the main target market with 74.4% of the total Chilean cherry exports, 4% more than in the 2012- 2013 season. Ten seasons ago (2004-2005), the Asian market accounted for only 23% of the exports of this fruit, and it has achieved a 51% increase in just a decade.
The North American market (the U.S. and Canada) was the second destination of Chilean cherry, with 13% share of total shipments during the period 2013-2014. Europe received 6.5% of total shipments with 4,408 tons, i.e. 42.5% more than in the 2012-2013 season.
The Latin American market purchased 3,969 tons, a volume that is similar to that of last season 2012-2013.
Source: SimFRUIT