The latest estimate from the Table Grape Committee of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile (ASOEX) BB #:156234, the sixth of the season, projects exports to reach 64,518,065 boxes, reflecting a decrease of 13.2 percent compared to the previous season and a decrease of 4 percent in relation to the fifth estimate made less than a month ago.
The president of ASOEX, Ivan Marambio stated to Simfruit, “We are delivering this new estimate, in order to provide relevant information to our partners and clients in international markets. Although there is a drop compared to the 2021-2022 season, the truth is that the volumes exported are very important, especially considering a season that currently has had a high concentration of grapes in the first part of the season to the U.S.”
The new forecast indicates that despite the decrease, Chile will maintain its focus on new varieties with a 54 percent share of the total. The new estimate projects to reach 34,788,400 boxes of new table grape varieties, 18,591,491 boxes of traditional varieties, and 11,138,173 boxes of Red Globe.
Ignacio Caballero, marketing director of ASOEX and Coordinator of the Table Grape Committee, specified that the drop in volumes is due to a decrease in the central region of Chile, mainly due to climatic issues.
“North America and Asia are the main markets for Chilean grapes, concentrating around 80 percent of total shipments. We hope that this new estimate will reduce the pressure that the U.S. market is receiving and achieve greater diversification towards other markets, even more considering the important late volume of grapes that Peru is sending to this destination. This is why we are working with our office in the US to advance the promotions and start activities in supermarkets now in March to accelerate the demand for grapes in the face of this supply shock,” he stated.
According to the forecast, North America will receive 35,919,879 boxes of table grapes, Asia will receive 13,838,353 boxes and Europe will receive 9,165,309 boxes of fresh Chilean grapes.
According to the latest market report from the ASOEX Table Grape Committee, as of week 8, shipments of fresh grapes from Chile reach 23,903,222 boxes, reflecting a 17 percent increase compared to the same period last season.
Of the volume exported to date, 67 percent corresponds to new varieties and 33 percent to traditional varieties.
North America has received 73 percent of the total shipments of Chilean fresh grapes to the world, followed by China-Hong Kong and Europe with 6 percent, respectively. While other Asian markets have received 7 percent of the volume, Latin America 5 percent and other destinations with 3 percent.
Regarding varieties, at week 8, red varieties have a share of 36 percent in total shipments, reflecting an increase of 8 percent compared to the same period the previous season. In the case of white varieties, participation reached 5 percent (increase of 25 percent) and blacks varieties with 9 percent (increase of 30 percent).
