Chile's 2016/2017 table grape season came to an end on the 28th week of the year. The country exported a total of 730,264 tons this season, 4% more than in the previous season, according to the final report of the 2016/2017 season prepared by Asoex.
The 2016/17 campaign was characterized by a marked advance in exports as, for example, the country had exported 75,392 tons by week 9, the earliest ever recorded, and 4 weeks earlier than in the previous season.
Regarding the exported varieties, the red seedless grapes recovered the first place with 271,428 tons and a 37% participation, followed by red grapes with seeds, with 221,555 tons and a 27% participation. White seedless grapes ranked third with 196,770 tones and a 30% share. They were followed by black seedless grapes, which had a record export peak of 32,924 tons this season, i.e. 15% more than in the previous season, when they accounted for 5% of Chile's table grape exports. The rest of the varieties only account for 1% of exports, reaching 7,587 tons.
North America continues to be the main destination for Chile's table grape exports with 364,770 tons, i.e. 11% more than in the previous season, accounting for 50% of total exports. The Far East was the second biggest destination with 170,085 tons. While exports to China and Hong Kong declined by 27% to 97,992 tons, shipments to Indonesia increased by 92% to 8,251 tons. The third destination was Europe with 127,695 tons and, although exports to this destination increased by 15% compared to the previous season, this destination shows a marked decrease in its share since the 2010/11 season. The remaining destinations represent 9% of exports.
In 2016/2017 the third region was the only main exporting destination to have a decrease in numbers over the previous season with 81,736 tons, i.e. 11% less. Meanwhile, the fourth region had a 12% increase, i.e. 140,635 tons, a volume that marks a recovery. In the central area, all regions showed increases. The V region grew by 6%, the RM by 8%, and the VI by 3%.
During the last season 293 companies exported table grapes; i.e. 23 companies less than in the previous season. The five companies that led exports were Subsole with 4.93% of the total exported volume, followed by Del Monte with 4.88%, Rio King with 4.46%, Exser with 4.34% and Dole-Chile with 4.31%.
Source: asoex.cl