Chilean table grape exports are going through a season of contrasts, with a challenging scenario in international markets, but with encouraging projections towards the end of the 2024-25 period.
Despite logistical difficulties and pressure from global supply, the sector shows resilience and adaptive strategies that could benefit national producers in the coming weeks, according to Portal Agro Chile.
Chile plans to export around 66 million boxes, a growth of 2.3 percent compared to the previous season. By week 6 of the current season, exports had already reached 14 million boxes, driven by the implementation of the “System Approach” in the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo, and Valparaíso, which has allowed for more efficient delivery of fruit to destination markets, according to Carla Carmona of Trading Logistics Management (TLM).
Although the increase in volumes is good news, the international market faces significant pressure on prices, especially in the U.S., where the preventive accumulation of 8 million boxes due to fear of a port strike has generated a market saturation since January 25. Added to this is the strong competition from Peru, South Africa, and India, whose harvests have flooded both the North American and European markets with fruit.
Despite this scenario, Víctor Muñoz, manager of the Regional Strategic Program (PER) Sustainable Fruit Growing of Corfo, said, “adapting to the new demands of international markets, productive diversity and efficient management of the supply chain will be crucial to maintaining the competitiveness of the sector.”
“It is expected that, by April 2025, prices may rebound due to a stabilization in arrival volumes and better management of supply and demand. This could benefit Chile with its late fruit. The industry must be attentive to these developments and adjust strategies to ensure a more balanced and profitable season,” Carmona said.
