After a drop in December-January, the value grew 20%
Grapes reach record prices in US due to smaller Chilean offer
Although, the tendency was reversed with the arrival of the varieties coming from the Center-South area of Chile. According to Manuel José Alcaíno, president of Decofrut, by the end of January the price started to stabilize, followed by a value growth that finally hit record levels that continue today.
In the 10th week of the year, white seedless varieties grew in value by 4% to 22%. As for the red seedless ones, their value grew in average 21%. For example, the Flame Seedless, caliber M, had an average quotation of US$15.9 per 8.2 kilos box, a 22% rise regarding 2010-2011.
Alcaíno affirms that this season registered a less traditional table grape in the United States, due to a part of the exporters having decided to send their containers to Europe and because of the low prices registered in the beginning of the season in the US.
"We got to a 12% deficit in the grape amounts to the US, while in Europe we were above last year's amount by 60%", pointed out Alcaíno, adding that until today, fruit shipments to the US registered a drop of 4.1%, with 264,625 tons.
As for cherry, the situation was different. Even if exports grew 21% until this date and regarding 2010-2011, prices were unstable. This because before the Chinese New Year, when the industry places a big part of its sale in Asia, there was a surplus in the national offer of cherry, causing a drop up to 50% in values.
Despite the previous, Alcaíno explains that after the event, the fruit started improving on prices, a situation that caused a bigger stability for exporters.
But the ones causing more complications were the stone fruits. Nectarine, peach and plum reported a 17% drop in their main market, the US, while prices kept stable with some drops.
Source: Economiaynegocios