Chilean cherry planted area has historically grown year over year. Post estimates area planted to reach a new record of 44,000 hectares in MY2021/22. Cherry productivity will likely decrease in MY2021/22 due to drought and production adjustments that Chilean producers will make to increase size and quality.
For MY2021/22, a three percent increase in cherry production and a three percent increase in exports over MY2020/21 levels is expected. FAS Santiago estimates that cherry production will reach 395,000 MT, while exports rise to 364,000 metric tons. For MY2021/22, Post estimates that fresh peach and nectarine production will total 160,000 MT, a 0.6 percent decrease over MY2020/21. The decrease is due to lower productivity and steady planted area. Peach and nectarine exports will only reach 98,000 MT, a one percent decrease from MY2020/21.
Chilean cherry production has grown constantly, surpassing record production volumes each year. This is the result of an increase in planted area, as well as maturation of young orchards. As newly planted orchards continue to reach their production potential, total output will grow.
Chilean cherry planted area grew consistently in the past decade. Post estimates area planted in cherries at 44,000 hectares (ha) in MY2021/22, a 11.5 percent increase over MY2020/21. Despite the large area increase, FAS Santiago expects production to increase by only three percent in MY2021/22, with forecast production reaching 395,000 metric tons. The anticipated increases in area will be offset by a decrease in yields in the forecast year. Continued drought and the risk of frost damage have forced producers to adjust strategy to maintain fruit size and quality.
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