Chilean cherry exports are up significantly over last season, but China takes the bulk of the crop.
In a contribution to Simfruit, the official portal of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, BB #:156234 ASOEX provided statistics showing that cherry exports up until week 49 of 2019 were 60,139 tons, or 75% more than the 34,457 tons exported in the same time period last season.
The current campaign is expected to grow shipments by 19.1%, totaling 210,214 tons.
This season, 90% of the cherry exports have been destined to China (i.e. 54,400 tons), in comparison to the 29,828 tons sent there last season, while all other destination markets have shown an increase in comparison to the previous season’s shipments.
North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East all follow behind China in that order, with each accounting for 2,343 tons, 2,081 tons, 1,196 tons, and 81 tons, respectively.
Harvests were limited in week 49 in an effort to avoid damage to the fruit due to high temperatures. Higher yields of XL and L sized fruit has resulted from lower amounts of water in the fields, according to producers.
The Chilean cherry export season is in full bloom in China, their main destination market. Intensive and creative promotion campaigns are being carried out by the ASOEX Cherry Committee, in conjunction with the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG, and ProChile. These promotions will take part in social media, online media, and retailers among others.
