Explosive increase in exports of fresh blueberries in Atacama and Coquimbo
Estimating their shipments in 2.044 tons, 93,5% more than what was destined in the 2015, which was 1.056 tons.
The export of blueberries in the Coquimbo Region has experienced a great increase in recent years, reaching 93,5% more than last season. Generating a great income alternative for regional producers.
At the national level, the Committee of Cranberries of Chile informed that the 2016-2017 season expects to register an 3% growth in the export of blueberries, arriving to send to different markets 94.276 tons of the fruit.
The report, made by iQonsulting together with the Committee of Blueberries, also indicates that the production of blueberries at national level will grow an 4,3%, going from generating 135.539 tons in the 2015 / 2016 season, to 141.404 tons in the current campaign.
Andrés Armstrong, Executive Director of the Cranberry Committee of Chile, commented that "everything indicates that it will be a very good season for Chilean cranberries, with the quality and fruit flavor that has characterized us all these years. We continue working on promotion and market development to bring Chilean blueberries to different parts of the world".
According to the report, this season has been developed with normal maximum temperatures, slightly higher than in 2015 and with a higher thermal accumulation, causing a harvest start two weeks earlier than in the previous season, which was especially delayed by the weather cold in spring.
In this line, Isabel Quiroz, Executive Director of iQonsulting, referred to the frosts registered in mid-September from the Valparaíso region to the south. "The impact is not yet clear, however, the early varieties that were in fruit set would have been the most affected, mainly in the Maule Region and to a lesser extent the Metropolitan and O'Higgins".
Still, he added that "in the first instance, damage is estimated in the production of early varieties in the mentioned regions around an 20%, which could impact a maximum of 2.000 tons".
On the other hand, Quiroz also highlighted the high stock of frozen blueberries that exists in the United States and its impact on prices. "The large stock could affect a price drop for blueberry to frozen in Chile this season, discouraging producers from opting for this alternative in favor of the fresh market"Commented Quiroz.
EXPLOSIVE INCREASE
According to the projection, the leading region in export of blueberries will be the Maule Region, which would send a total of 31.650 tons in the current season, increasing by an 35% its estimate with respect to the exported the previous season.
It is followed by the Bío Bío Region, with a total of 28.240 projected tons, although showing a fall of 4% with respect to last season; and then, the Region of La Araucanía, which has an export projection of 9.797 tons of blueberries, but a drop of 4% compared to the previous season.
Meanwhile, the regions of Atacama and Coquimbo have the highest increase in exports of this fruit, estimating their shipments in 2.044 tons, 93,5% more than what was destined last season, which was 1.056 tons.
In relation to the peak moments shipments for more than 8 thousand tons are expected to various destination markets, to then return to record a second peak in the year, with an estimate of more than 10 thousand tons.
NEW MARKETS
Nationwide, 60% of blueberry production goes to industry, in the production of sweets, cakes, ice cream and yoghurts, although new uses are discovered year after year. Lately the natural juice and dehydrated frozen blueberries have appeared in the US market, to be consumed with cereals. The remaining 40% of production is consumed fresh.
That is why regional entrepreneurs are already studying new markets such as Asia, mainly the producers of Illapel and Salamanca where production has been increasing notably in recent years, despite the constant drought in the southern part of the region.
Source: Diarioeldia.cl
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