Chile starts its exports of blueberries with rising prices in China
The 2016-2017 season of the long-awaited berry, the blueberry, has already started in Chile. Exports would have been about a month ahead of the previous season, and 92% of shipments to date have been destined for Asian countries.
"The 2016 / 17 season of Chilean blueberries has started in advance compared to the previous one, although still with smaller volumes. Exports began almost a month earlier with respect to the 2015 / 16 season and in its entirety, they are air shipments ", commented Andrea Betinyani, director of the Department of Studies and Information, Decofrut.
Between this year's 33 and 35 weeks, Chile has exported close to 25 tons of fresh blueberries, from the regions of Coquimbo, Metropolitana and Valparaíso.
According to Betinyani, of the total exported to date, 92% has been destined to Asian countries (China 80% and Japan 20%), 4% to the United States and another 4% to Latin America, specifically Colombia.
"In Guangzhou, China, Chilean blueberry prices have already been registered, which have been trending progressively upwards in recent weeks, reaching an average FOT sale price in week 35 of around US $ 27,35 / kilo".
Peru and Canada are also present in the Asian market, however, they currently reach considerably lower prices than Chile's blueberry.
For its part, Decofrut has begun its quality inspections and certification of Chilean blueberries at source, mainly fruit harvested in Ovalle, Illapel and Casablanca. The fruit inspected to date has met the necessary standards to be exported, counting in general with good quality both externally and internally.
It should be remembered that during the 2015/16 season, Chilean blueberry exports completed about 91.500 tons (about 33 million boxes). This volume was 1% lower compared to the previous season.
"The main market last season was the United States, to which an 66% of the total was sent, followed by Europe (22%), Far East (9%) and Canada (3%)", he explained.
Source: Fruit Portal
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