Harvesting of Chilean blueberries will peak during the next few days leading to a higher export volume that will be closer to the initial forecast, according to the latest crop report from the Chilean Blueberry Committee.
Exports rose significantly during Week 45 in comparison to previous weeks, reaching 293 tonnes, against 81 tonnes in the previous week.
Total exports to date have reached 514 tonnes, which is similar to last season, the report explained.
A higher volume is due to be shipped this week to coincide with the peak harvesting period in the IV and V Regions, coupled with a larger output from the VI and Metropolitan Regions.
And despite rainfall being reported in the VI Region and the south zone (with hail in some areas), the report said that no rain damage has been seen and the impact of the hail has not been significant, although assessments are ongoing.
However, the report indicated two issues which could affect shipments of fresh Chilean blueberries this season.
“The first one has to do with what will happen with the production in the south zone, where fruit load looks higher and volume could increase regarding the forecast, and the second one is the development of the US frozen blueberry market,” the report explained.
The Committee predicts Chilean blueberry exports will increase to 78,000 tonnes this season, compared with 69,634 tonnes in 20010/11.
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