Chile's fruit sector is not going through its best moment. Port strikes generated mistrust in the international market and the shipment of products which were not up to the expected standards have affected its image as a trustworthy fruit exporter.
According to Rodrigo Manasevich, consultant at Utilitas, "importers have mentioned that Chile is becoming an unreliable supplier."
Additional factors played a role in this situation; some beyond the suppliers' control, like the frosts and droughts, and others for which they are fully responsible, like the export of fruit to undersupplied countries, especially early in the season, which is not up to the promised quality standards.
It is a vicious circle, because as a result of the frosts and droughts, the fruit is smaller or imperfect, or loses its quality while stranded in striking ports.
Delays also take place in the shipments to destinations that are eagerly awaiting them because they have programmes established with supermarkets and other retailers, which can easily switch the Chilean fruit for the produce from other countries. Table grapes, blueberries and kiwis are the most affected products.
Even though export volumes grew by 5.4% last year and Chile made 4,070 million dollars in revenue, shipments to the U.S. market have dropped. Exporters would appear to be giving priority to the Asian market, particularly to destinations like Hong Kong, South Korea and China.
According to Manasevich, Chile's image as an exporter should not be neglected, especially now that competition keeps getting tighter.
Source: gestion.pe