Fruit producers and exporters associated to the Chilean firm Combifrut continue loading shipments of apples and kiwis.
Diego Romero, commercial manager of Combifrut, confirms that, "this year we are a little delayed, affected by delays in the harvest, but also to the strike actions in the harbour, which had a deep impact on all exports."
Despite these delays, Romero does not think Chilean exports will overlap with those from other countries. "Chile will finish its exports to Europe on week 34, more or less, which is when Greece and Italy are just starting," said Combifrut's manager.
Kiwi demand is quite good in Europe and the US. New Zealand's firm Zespri, more oriented towards the Asian market, "is shipping very small volumes to the US and Europe, which offers us a gap to fill," affirms Romero. "We believe the market will remain favourable to us, as consumption is quiet good. Sales go smoothly and stocks are low at destination. Everything shipped is sold."
Regarding prices, they are higher on average than last year. According to Combifrut's data, shipments to Europe last season averaged 11-12 Euro per box, and this year they stand at around 14-15 Euro. "Price levels are high, with low stocks and smooth sales. The second part of the season, focused on controlled atmosphere production, has yet to arrive, but so far everything is going according to plan," assures Romero.
The situation with apple exports has been a little more erratic. Romero believes that this may be due to prices, which have reached higher levels than in previous years. Chilean exports have reached the expected volumes, very similar to last year's. Prices in general are higher, but sales are at good levels.
In addition to apples and kiwis, the firms continues with the selling of pears of the Packham, D’Anjou, Forelle and Abate Fetel varieties, although in terms of volumes, the most important crop are grapes. Romero explains that, "grapes are our specialty. We work with providers from every worldwide producing country and in Chile we produce good volumes, mainly of seedless white, red and black grapes. We work with every format."
Combifrut is Chilean firm, part of the Dutch group Olympic Food. Its main goal is to close the gap between producers and the markets. It works alongside producers to sell the fruit from the production stage, getting involved in all processes, from the technical part to the final sale, including both supermarkets and its clients in Europe.
The firm controls around 500 hectares. All its associated producers possess the GlobalGAP certification and some also the Nature's Choice. They mainly grow blueberries, grapes, apples, pears, kiwis and stone fruit, such as plums, cherries and nectarines. Its fruit exports combined reached between 900,000 and one million boxes this year.
"We ship mainly to the United States, Colombia, China, France and other European countries through Rotterdam and to Russia via St Petersburg," affirms Diego Romero. "It is the strategy of Grupo Olympic to be present and remain a solid fruit distributor all over the world."
For more information:
Diego Romero
COMBIFRUT S.A
Avda. Raúl Labbé 12613, Of. 423
Lo Barnechea – Santiago, Chile.
Phone: (+562) 2869-6054
Mobile: (+569) 8/1980182
@: [email protected]
www.combifrut.cl
For more information:
Diego Romero
COMBIFRUT S.A
Avda. Raúl Labbé 12613, Of. 423
Lo Barnechea – Santiago, Chile.
Phone: (+562) 2869-6054
Mobile: (+569) 8/1980182
@: [email protected]
www.combifrut.cl
