The first Chilean cherries shipped by air have already landed in China, reported Zhao Yibin, the manager of Shanghai's Huizhan International Trade Co., Ltd. air transport department. The fruit has a firm texture, a dark red color, and a sugar content of more than 20 degrees Brix. The volumes destined for distribution in wholesale markets are rapidly running out.
Joy Wing Mau, one of China's leading fruit importers and distributors, confirmed the speed of sales, as the volumes of cherry currently shipped are slightly lower than at the same time last year and the volume allocated to each retailer is still relatively small. However, the supply of Chilean cherries will increase significantly when the maritime shipments, which will start departing Chile in mid-November, start to arrive in China.
The first shipments are of early Glenred, Royal Dawn, Brooks, and Santina varieties. They will be followed by the Bing, Lapins, Skeena, and Kordia mid-season varieties, which in turn will be followed by the Sweetheart and Regina varieties; the last to be harvested. Santina, Lapins, and Regina are expected to account for the majority of Chile's cherry exports this season.
Chile's Fruit Exporter's Association's Cherry Committee projects that Chile will export 89,353,878 five-kilogram boxes of fresh cherries, equivalent to 446,769 metric tons this season, i.e. 25% more volume than in the previous season.
Source: simfruit.cl