Produce haulers can expect less loading opportunities of Chilean fruit at U.S. ports this winter.
Freezing temperatures Sept. 17 and again a week later hit Chilean orchards with the worst cold since 1929 as temperatures plunged to 19 degrees F. for an average of seven hours.
Last year, Chilean fruit exporters sold about 282 million boxes of fruit to global markets, and for 2013-14, exports are expect to decline about 50 million boxes short of that level.
How much of Chile’s total fruit goes to the U.S. this season is still up the air. America took about 42 percent of Chile’s total grape exports a year ago. Imports of grapes from the South American country normally hit stride in January and continue for about three months.
The effect of the frost will mainly be in stone fruit, though grape volume could also be down an average of about 15 percent. Stone fruit is mostly peaches plums and nectarines, with much fewer apricots.
Early grapes will fare better than later-season grapes. If this holds true grape arrivals by boat at U.S. ports will probably be much lighter than usual in March.
Kiwifruit damage is rated very heavy, at close to 60 percent.
Further updates will be reported as they become available.