According to data from the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile (Asoex), during the first quarter of 2018 the Bio Bio Region exported a total of 30,805 tons of fresh fruit, i.e. 60.7% more than in the same period of the previous campaign (2016-2017).
The main species exported in this quarter were: blueberries, which accounted for 74.3% of all exports; cherries, 22.6%; apples, 1.7%; Asian pears, 0.8%; table grape, 0.2%; baby kiwi, 0.2%; nectarines, 0.1%; and pears, 0.1%.
The main destination markets in the first quarter were: the United States, with 47.8% of the share; Asia, with 26.8%; and Europe, with 22.4%.
2017/2018 season
Between September 1, 2017 and April 10, 2018, the Bio Bio Region has exported a total of 50,844 tons of fresh fruits, that is 18.3% more than in the same period of the previous season.
Of that amount, 21,742 tons were destined for the United States; followed by Asia, with 13,228 tons and a 39.3% increase in relation to the same period of the previous campaign (2016-2017). Exports to Europe, the third most important market for the fresh fruit of Bio Bio, amounted to 11,602 tons, 20.4% more than in the previous campaign.
National scenario
According to data from Asoex, Chile has exported a total of 1,617,708 tons of fresh fruit in the current season. The main destinations have been the United States, with 33.1% of total shipments; Asia, with 26.3%; and Europe, with 20%.
The main fruits exported are table grapes, with 36.9% of the total volume exported; apples, with 14.3%; cherries, 11.6%; avocados, 8.5%; plums, 7.1%; blueberries, 6.8%; Pears, 4.3%; nectarines, 4.1%; peaches, 1.9%; and others, with 4.4%.
Record campaign
According to Ronald Bown, the president of Asoex, "so far the fresh fruit export campaign is developing within the normal harvest and export parameters."
However, he said, "there have been record export volumes in cherries and blueberries this campaign. Cherry exports have increased by more than 96% over the previous season, and blueberry exports have grown by about 7%."
"Achieving important fruit volumes doesn't mean we'll obtaining the same economic results, as these are affected by different variables, such as the price of the dollar, the situation of the fruit in each destination market (supply and demand), climate events, and competition, among other things," he said.
Bown also analyzed the growth of the Chinese market for shipments of fresh fruit. "The increase in exports to Asian markets, especially to China, is evidence of the industry's efforts to boost shipments to these areas. We think that in the not too distant future, China will be our main target market. This shows the important efforts that producers, exporters and of all the actors of the Chilean fruit production and export chain, are making to reach markets with fruit that has the required quality, safety and food safety."
Source: ladiscusion.cl