The Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers (Capci) predicts that Argentine cherry exports could surpass the 8,100 tons shipped last year by 8% to 12%, assuming there are no unforeseen weather events.
According to a Capci report published in September, fruit quality remains good despite recent weather challenges in the southern producing regions. In Río Negro and Neuquén, which account for most exportable output, producers have observed an increase in "purgue," a phenomenon that causes premature fruit drop and could affect the total harvest volume.
Aníbal Caminiti, the manager of Capci, told local media that "this is not a new phenomenon, but this year it is happening with greater intensity," creating uncertainty about the overall yield.
Technicians believe that thermal fluctuations during winter and spring caused this issue. While winter provided the necessary cold hours, quality varied due to temperature swings between May and July and an unusually warm spring. This climate variation affected the trees' physiology, resulting in lower fruit retention but not impacting overall quality.
Against this backdrop, Capci remains cautious about its export projections. Caminiti indicated that, in the best-case scenario, shipments will match the levels of the previous cycle, though a slight reduction is possible if conditions are unfavorable in the coming weeks.
In recent years, the Argentinian cherry industry has consistently invested in post-harvest technology and irrigation systems, thereby improving quality and traceability standards. Argentina benefits from favorable natural conditions, soil, water, and weather, and producers have gained considerable technical expertise, helping the sector secure a position in demanding international markets.
However, high production and logistics costs still restrict competitiveness compared to other exporting nations. This has slowed the crop's growth, which has stayed steady at about 2,200 hectares for over ten years.
The Argentine harvest begins in Mendoza and Jujuy, though fruit from these provinces is mainly sold locally because of fruit fly issues that limit exports. Later, production shifts to Patagonia, focusing on Río Negro, Chubut, Neuquén, and Santa Cruz, where exports of high-quality fresh cherries are concentrated.
Source: frutasdechile.cl
