Ronald Bown, President of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (Asoex) delivered the final balance of the Chilean fruit export season, corresponding to the period 2019-2020 (September 01, 2019 to August 31, 2020).

The country's fresh fruit exports closed with a volume of 2.537.079 tons shipped to the different markets of the world, which represented a drop of -6,9% compared to the previous year. Of this amount, 31,7% went to the United States, 24,8% Asia, 20,3% Europe, 18,2 Latin America, 3% the Middle East and 2% Canada.  

"Although there was a drop in exports, this is not due primarily to the situation of the pandemic, but to a lower production of species such as table grapes, a sector that is in an important process of varietal reconversion and water availability problems in some areas. Blueberries and kiwis are another example, since they are in a sorting process. Likewise, there were weather conditions that also affected production volumes, ”said Ronald Bown, President of Asoex.

Regarding the impact of Coronavirus on the industry, he observed “Last season some situations were generated associated with a slowness in the export process at the level of ports, logistics and distribution systems in general, as happened in China. However, we must point out that our sector has not stopped its operations and complied with all international commitments. We have implemented various measures and procedures to ensure the health of our workers and the safety of our fruits, since the commitment is to maintain the food supply in Chile and the world ”.

“This new 2020-2021 season presents challenges for which we have, and we are preparing with the implementation of Covid-19 prevention measures at the level of orchards and fruit centers, and workers especially. In addition, we are developing promotional campaigns that promote the health attributes of our fruits, as well as our commitment to continuity of supply. As for the volumes, we believe that they will be very similar to the year just ended or slightly higher ”, highlighted the leader of the fruit exporters.

Markets

The United States continues to be the main market for Chilean fresh fruits, in terms of volumes, with shipments of 775.156 tons. However, exports reflect a decrease of 10,2%, compared to last season, mainly due to the fact that the sector is promoting new destinations, and the decrease in volumes destined for this destination, such as table grapes, blueberries and apples. .

Asia is undoubtedly a market to which exports are increasing. In fact, during the 2019-2020 fiscal year, it received 622.522 tons of fresh Chilean fruits, with a drop of -6,5%.

Asia is consolidated as the second destination of the country's fruit shipments, and China-Hong Kong its main market, the cula, shows strong growth in the last 6 seasons, ranging from 249.337 tons (2014-2015) to 464.709 tons in the just last season, with an increase of 3%.

The main fruits shipped to China-Hong Kong are cherries (207.775 tons), table grapes (11.877 tons), plums (59.464 tons) and nectarines (29.810 tons), which stands out, since not long ago Chilean nectarines achieved the entering the Chinese market, obtaining a very good response from consumers.

In third place, Europe is located with the reception of 553.432 tons. and a slight increase of 0,2%. The main fruits sent to the Old World are apples (169.057 tons, + 15,3%), table grapes (96.755 tons, -0,9%), avocados (86.146 tons, -12,4%), and kiwis (60.544 ton and + 5,2%) 

It is important to note that, despite the fact that the Coronavirus pandemic led many consumers to favor lower-value products, instead of premium products, in Europe avocados were very well received, especially due to their great contribution to people's health . Situation that also had an impact on fruits such as kiwi and citrus, which were favored for their high content of vitamin C.

Latin America is located in a fourth position as a destination, with 435.368 tons, and a decrease of 12,4%, mainly explained by the significant fall of the main destination, Colombia (-20%), due to internal distribution and market problems .

In fifth place, we find the Middle East, a market that is awakening a special interest in Chilean exporters. During 2019-2020, it received 94.786 tons of Chilean fruits, an increase of 14,2%, compared to the previous year, mainly explained by the increases in apples and kiwis.

The main fruits exported to the Middle East are apples (69.237 tons, + 20,3%), table grapes (11.024%, -4,4%) and kiwis (6.679 tons, + 14,2%)

Finally, there is Canada with the reception of 53.243 tons and a decrease of 14% compared to the previous season.

Main Fruits

For the fourth season, apples are the main fruits exported by Chile with 625.032 tons (-11,6%), followed by table grapes with 603.371 tons (-7,7%).

A point to highlight is that, due to the record of exports reached by cherries, during 2019-2020, these fruits were positioned in third place in the basket of national exports, with 228.586 tons (+ 27%) in quantity and first in returns.

Kiwis are in fourth place with 145.251 tons and a drop of -11,3%.

Top Ten Destinations 

If it is about countries, the top ten destinations are: United States, China, Holland, England, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Russia. These markets represent around 75% of the total Chilean fresh fruits sent to the world.

Among them, the increases in England (+ 6,7%), Brazil (+ 4%), Germany (+ 2,5%), and especially in Saudi Arabia (+ 22,7%) stand out.

Origins and Departures 

The main origins of fruit exports are in the regions of O'Higgins (758.202 tons), Maule (657.868 tons), Metropolitana (318.340 tons), Valparaíso (287.177 tons) and Coquimbo (235.352 tons)

Regarding the ports of departure of the shipments, these were developed mainly through the port of Valparaíso (1.172.666 tons), with an increase of 26,5%, compared to the previous period. In second place was San Antonio with 987.070 tons and a 30% drop, which was largely absorbed by Valparaíso. This, mainly due to labor mobilizations

The land port of Los Andes was located in a third position with the movement of 97.125 tons; followed by Coronel with 75.3366 tons; Arica 54.487 tons; San Vicente with 48.745 tons; Coquimbo 36.042 tons; Boiler 31.379 ton. and the Arturo Merino Benítez Airport with 28.032 tons.

There were also fruit exits through the port of Lirquén (6.038 tons, + 59%), CFT Jeinimeni (120 tons, + 59%) and Cardenal Samoré (11 tons, + 100%)