Fernando Cisternas, General Manager of Copefrut, assured that the cherry market has been undergoing massive changes, namely a great rise in national production and the consolidation of Asia as the main target market, making it essential to work in conjunction with producers and firms, interpreting and analysing opportunities.
In this sense it was assured that firms have a good future perspective and strategies to be successful in tackling this new scenario.
In his speech, Andrés Hederra, Commercial Manager, referred to the worldwide situation of the cherry market, comparing it with Chilean production and its projections for the next few seasons, clearly stating that Chile's growth will happen in the medium term (3 or 4 seasons, or more), and that last season's production, which was close to 15 million 5 kg boxes, should at least be doubled.
"Given last season's events in China, where there was an over-supply for a few days, we clearly understood that, in order to handle the growth, Chile faces three great challenges: logistics, the markets and process infrastructure, and looking at our growth projections, Copefrut is working really hard on them to tackle this scenario in the best possible way. Our firm, due to its size, is better prepared than other national competitors," he pointed out. About production, he added that great growth opportunities are in sight for the early and late varieties.
Andoni Elorriaga, Assistant Manager for Producers, talked about labour and determining factors in production for the condition of cherries, pointing out that with a rise in supply, the demand for good quality and condition of the fruit also rises, and this is a determining factor for the success of the business. "Currently it is fundamental and a great challenge to elaborate a product able to withstand the process of production, storing and transport," he assured.
Source: Copefrut