Current issues, opportunities and challenges of the fruit industry in the southern hemisphere

Main exported products, countries that have grown the most and new challenges are some of the issues that the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters works on, which brings together the eight most important countries in exporting fresh fruits.

SHAFFE is the Association of Exporters of Fresh Fruits of the Southern Hemisphere and groups the eight most important exporting and producing countries of fresh fruits of the Southern Hemisphere (SH).

According to the data provided by the association, the entire SH accounts for 11 million tons of fresh fruit exports worth $ 14.000 billion, about 25% of the total supply of fresh fruit worldwide.

“Our vision is to connect the industry of the Southern Hemisphere by exchanging knowledge and facilitating access to international trade for our partners. We want to market fruits and vegetables without barriers in the destination markets, ”explained Christian Carvajal, current president of the Association, who shared data and perspectives from the hemisphere at the recent APAMA Conference, organized by the Mesopotamian Blueberry Producers Association. Argentina, partner organization of the Argentine Blueberry Committee (ABC).

SHAFFE partner countries exports in 2020

In his presentation, Carvajal described the current situation of fresh fruit exports from the hemisphere and pointed out that between 2019 and 2020 the area showed growth of 6,4%.

In 2019, exports amounted to US $ 14,718,176 and in 2020 total exports amounted to US $ 15,657,436.

The countries that exported the most were Chile, with 29% participation, South Africa with 21%, Peru with 20%, New Zealand with 16%, Australia with 6%, Argentina with 5%, Brazil with 3 % and Uruguay with 0,5%. .

Main products exported by countries of the southern hemisphere

Grapes, kiwis, blueberries and apples basically represent 50% of the exports of fresh fruit from the Southern Hemisphere, reported Carvajal within the framework of the APAMA Conference, highlighting that “the growth of blueberry exports from the Southern Hemisphere is remarkable, showing a growth of 72%. from 2016 to 2020 ”.

SHAFFE main destination markets for its partner countries

Eighteen percent of all fruit exported by SH goes to the United States, 17% to China; and more than 20% for Europe.

"The growth of exports to China is outstanding, more than 95% between 2016 and 2020," said Carvajal.

Blueberry Exports

Carvajal mentioned that, in terms of blueberry production, Peru is clearly the country that has grown the most. At the same time, it is important to mention the appearance of Colombia with the opportunity to become a major player.

"Peru concentrates more than 50% of SH exports with a year-on-year growth of 36% in the last year," he said. As for Colombia, it is seen that it began to export in 2019 with a growth of 152% since then and has gone from exporting 179 tons to 450 tons in 2020/2021.

What challenges do the countries of the southern hemisphere face? 

  • Logistical delays seen as major market access challenges, as well as Covid-related issues, were the most frequently mentioned issues in a survey conducted among SHAFFE partners.
  • National protectionism, there is a new access problem faced by producers and exporters when faced with “eating local” in some destination markets. Government entities make calls to consume local product versus imported product.

Despite this scenario, "80% of the members value the future in a positive or very positive way, the prospect of continuing to grow producing and exporting delicious and healthy fresh fruit from the Southern Hemisphere is extremely positive," said Carvajal.

Regarding the projects that SHAFFE is already working on, the president mentioned that “the first Master's degree in international fresh fruit trade will soon be announced. This Master will include topics such as Free Trade Agreements, Sustainability, Food Safety, Marketing and Communication, all included within the fruit and vegetable sector ”.

Finally, Carvajal referred to the new working commission made up of professionals from partner countries to define a strategic action for the hemisphere in the face of sustainability challenges: chaired by Gabriel Wasserman from Argentina and representing Frutas de Argentina, the commission will prepare a White Paper to map SHAFFE's objectives and actions in the short, medium and long term. -

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