"Our markets are evenly distributed between the United States and Europe, but cherries still hold significant importance in China. The company has also been expanding into India, a market where it started with kiwis five years ago and recently began supplying cherries. It's an effort to diversify destinations and avoid concentrating supply in a single country," said Gonzalo Gajardo Cortés, Subsole's commercial manager.
The executive noted that this season's citrus and kiwi shipments are winding down, while the avocado season is halfway through, and the cherry season is about to start. "The avocado season has been more challenging, with high exports from weeks 35 to 42. Chile is expected to produce 240 million kilos, indicating a significant output," he said. Gajardo also mentioned that intense competition among origins, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Spain, and Israel, is putting pressure on prices. This forces exporters to focus on differentiating through quality, condition, and service.
© Subsole
Chile also stands out for its high consumption of Hass avocados, nearly 9 kilos per person, making it the second-largest consumer worldwide after Mexico. "The domestic market is the main competitor for Chilean exporters," he noted.
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Gajardo highlighted that Chile is experiencing a "record season in terms of prices" for kiwi, primarily due to a worldwide shortage of green kiwi. With outstanding sales in Latin America and a strong presence in Asia, Europe, and the United States, "Kiwi has had five years of rising prices. Today, there is no room for poor quality fruit; we have to offer a flavor experience that competes with the standard of countries such as New Zealand," he affirmed.
Regarding the challenges, the executive highlighted "the importance of phytosanitary access systems, such as the systems approach for the United States and Brazil, which would reduce the need for fumigation and allow better quality fruit to reach the end consumer".
For more information:
Gonzalo Gajardo Cortés
Subsole
Chile
Tel: +56 941 49 9793
Email: [email protected]
www.subsole.com
