Posts Tagged “Chilean fruit exports”
A significant increase in Chilean blueberry exports are expected this season, while Chilean grape exports could see a small decline. Additionally, with more volume in Chilean cherry exports, this should translate into more fruit from that South American country arriving on U.S. shores.
The Chilean Fresh Fruit Association reports grapes easily account for the largest Chilean fruit export to the U.S., representing nearly 40 percent of all the Chilean fruit shipped here. A drought in Chile is being blamed for an expected slight decrease in export volumes. Official estimates for the 2019-20 season are only 1.6 percent lower than last season.
It is estimated that about 78.5 million boxes will be exported to the U.S. this year, which, which would mean only about 1.3 million boxes less than the previous season. Blueberries, cherries and the stone fruits are expected to make up the difference over the next four to five months.
In 2017-18 there were 6.2 million boxes of Flame Seedless exported to the United States, while last season (2018-19) volume dropped to 2.1 million boxes. Flame Seedless has been an industry standard for decades but is being replaced with newer varieties such as Timco and Allison. Timco volume grew by 61 percent and Allison by 72 percent in the past year.
Chilean grape shipments began in late December and should increase through January and continue into May.
Cherries from Chile have been in the U.S. marketplace for a couple of months with shipments continuing and increasing through January. The vast majority of Chilean cherries are exported to China.
Chilean fruit companies are projecting that they will export about 42 million five kilogram cartons this year, which will represent a 16 percent increase over last season.
North America receives about 60 percent of Chilean blueberry exports. With organic “blues,” North America accounts for 96 percent the Chilean exports. Chilean fresh blueberry exports are expected to grow by about 4 percent during the 2019-20 season led by organics.
Chilean stone fruits account for less than 10 percent of the country’s fruit exports to the U.S.
A modest decline in Chilean fruit exports for the 2019-20 season is forecast by the USDA primarily because of a drought and fewer plantings.
In its annual fruit report release recently Chilean table grape exports in 2019-20 will decline 3 percent, while apple exports will be off 7 percent and pear exports down 10 percent..
Grape Exports
Chile’s table grape planted area for exporting in 2019-20 is projected unchanged at about 118,000 acres. The USDA reports table grape production will drop due to droughts throughout the country and will have a pronounced effect in the central Chile regions of Valparaiso, Metropolitana, and O’Higgins. On the other hand, the northern regions of Atacama and Coquimbo have enough water reserves.
The USDA said traditional table grape varieties, including crimson seedless and thompson seedless, are declining in volume. Newer varieties, such as arra-15, timco, and sweet celebration continue to increase in production. Chile’s 2019-20 grape output is estimated at 805,000 metric tons, down 3 percent from a year ago.
Exports of table grapes will fall again in 2019-20 after an off year in 2018-19. Last season, Chile’s table grape exports decreased by 10.5 percent in volume compared with 2017-18, totaling 654,479 metric tons. Table grape exports to the U.S. and China fell by 10 percent while exports to South Korea grew by 27.7% last season. Even with the decline last year, the U.S. took 45 percent of Chile’s total exports in 201-8-19, with 295,149 metric tons shipped to the U.S.
Competition from Peru early in the season has pulled Chilean grape prices down and created a greater emphasis for late-season exportst.
The USDA projects Chilean grape exports to China will grow as exporters focus their promotion funds and marketing efforts in reaching that market. Chile’s total grape exports for 2019-20 are projected at 640,000 metric tons, down from 660,000 metric tons in 2018-19.
Apple Exports
Chile’s apple acreage this season is projected at near 80,000 acres, 6 percent less than 2018-19. Increased competition from Peru and low prices for traditional varieties contributed to the acreage decline.
Last season, Chile’s total fresh apple exports decreased by 10 percent in volume and 8.4 percdent in value compared with the 2017-18 season, with totals of 618,324 metric tons in volume and $557 million in value.
2018-19 exports of Chilean apples were diversified to customers in North America, Latin America, Europe and the Far East, but the U.S. was rated as the top buyer of Chilean apples.
For the upcoming season, apple exports to China, Taiwan, India, and Vietnam are expected to increase. Total Chilean apple exports for 2019-20 are projected at 656,500 metric tons, off 7 percent from 705,000 metric tons last season.
Pear Exports
Chilean pear acreage now is estimated at nearly 18,000 acres, about 11.5 percent fewer compared with 2018-19. Last season, Chile’s pear exports increased by 1.4 percent in volume over the previous year reaching 123,914 metric tons.
Top Chilean export markets for pears include Russia, Colombia, the Netherlands and Italyt.
Chilean pears also were exported to China starting in April with the opening of that market. For 2019-20, the USDA projects total Chilean pear exports at 117,000 metric tons, 10 percent lower compared with 130,000 metric tons in 2018-19.