Chile cherries

Chile has knocked Argentina from its top EU cherry export spot so far this season thanks to an earlier start and lower prices, reports ProChile.

Over the last two weeks, Chile has exported 2,000 tonnes of cherries to Europe compared to Argentina's 300 tonnes, ProChile said, adding that this time last year Chile was not even present on this market.

Chile took advantage of a two to three-week delay in Argentina's cherry harvest and hit Europe at 'full blast' with early fruits, saturating the market and undercutting prices, ProChile said.

Chile charged Europe 30 per cent less for cherries than Argentina's typically prices, the report said.

Chile enjoys zero-tariff imports into Europe, while Argentina pays an 8 per cent tax.

Argentine cherry exporters have also faced problems with freight since the season start, the report said.