During the first four-month period of 2020, Chilean fruit exports reached 1,44 million tons, which meant a drop of 3% compared to the same periods of the previous year, according to data from the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa), of the Ministry of Agriculture.

On the other hand, between January and April this year, fruit shipments totaled USD 3.050 million FOB, without considering the Value Variation Report, which showed a decrease of 16% in the value of shipments, in relation to the period compared.

Of this total in value, 86% corresponds to fresh fruit, 13% to processed fruit (juices, oils, preserves, frozen, dehydrated), and 1% to nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, among others).

La fresh fruit reached sales of 1,25 million tons and USD 2.620 million FOB during January-April 2020. Exports suffered a decrease in volume of 3%, and in value of 17% compared to the same period of the previous year.

The main species exported in this group were cherries, with 145 thousand tons and USD 825 million FOB export, registering an increase in shipments of 5,8% in volume and a decrease of 19% in value. In second place were grape shipments, which recorded exports of 529 thousand tons and USD 811,6 million FOB, equivalent to a decrease of 1,9% in volume and 23% in value, compared to the same month of last year. Meanwhile, in third place, blueberries and myrtiles were positioned, registering 84 thousand 400 tons and USD 402,5 million FOB, which represents a decrease of 3,1% in volume and 4,9% in value.

These three species concentrate 78% of the total value of fresh fruit exported in the period analyzed and, as for the destination markets for fresh fruit, cherry shipments went mainly to China (94% of the total value); those of grapes, meanwhile, were mostly concentrated in the United States (48% in total value of grapes); while blueberries were mainly destined for the USA. (45%) and the Netherlands (20% of the total value of blueberries).

As for nutsThese reached sales of 7 tons and USD 800 million FOB during January-April 44. Compared to the same period in 2020, these values ​​represent a decrease of 2019% in volume and 47% in value.

The main exported product in terms of value is the hazelnut without shell, which registers sales of 1.900 tons and USD 14,2 million FOB, representing 32% of the total purchases of this group of fruits and its main market was Italy (99%) . The second product that stands out in exports is the walnut without shell, registering sales of 2 tons, and USD 13,8 million FOB, representing 31% of the total purchases of this group, with strong shipments to Brazil (31%) and Ecuador (12,4%).

Finally, the processed fruits, reached sales of 189 thousand tons and USD 385 million FOB during the period January-April 2020, which represents an increase in exports of 5% in volume and 1% in value, compared to the first quarter of 2019