The 2013/14 campaign marked a new high for Chile’s cherry producers, with returns at the height of the season eclipsing the record set last year.
An analysis of the season by Fedefruta shows that in the third week of 2014, during which 474,000 cartons were exported, returns to the grower reached US$7.15 per kg, compared with US$4.07 per kg in the same week of the previous year.
Fedefruta said the positive results were due to high prices driven by strong demand on international markets, which in turn was down to the exceptional quality and size profile of the Chilean crop.
“Although the analysis shows excellent returns overall, there was a considerable variation in the prices paid by different exporters to the growers,” said Alfredo García, head of research at the producer organisation. “That’s why this type of research is an extremely useful tool for producers when it comes to choosing which exporter to work with. We would urge every grower to approach us in order to assess the performance of their individual exporter.”
The figures also reveal that in spite of the frost damage suffered in some parts of the country, overall Chilean exports rose by 32 per cent in 2013/14 to a record 14.65m cartons. Around 75 per cent of the export total was shipped to Asia, mainly for the Chinese New Year celebrations during which it is customary for cherries to be given as a gift as they represent good fortune and happiness. The North American market absorbed 13 per cent of Chile’s total export volume, taking 23 per cent more fruit than last season.
With production spanning a wide area from the Metropolitan region to Chile Chico in Aysén, Chile is the world’s second biggest cherry exporter and the leading exporter in the Southern Hemisphere.
No comments yet