With stone fruit supplies on the UK market tight, Chilean supplies, due to start arriving from November 26, should receive a warm welcome. It appears that the crop escaped unscathed from rains and storms over recent weeks in Chile's early production regions.

Although air-freight costs are high, demand due to a dearth of supply should ensure the journey is a worthwhile one for the Chilean fruit.

One importer said this week that air-freight prices are double the departure cost of early peaches and nectarines from South America.

Nectarine arrivals are expected by the end of the month with Early John and Royal Glo. Peaches will start with Maycrest and Early Majestic.

Chilean senders are hopeful of a steadier plum season than last year when oversupply upset the applecart and sent prices for southern hemisphere fruit tumbling.

Although some plum production regions in Chile have been hit by storms, South African fruit is also reported to have suffered a similar fate. A rumoured 40 per cent crop loss will at least mean firmer prices for those who do have fruit to export.

And a softening in the value of the Chilean peso against sterling by more than 16 per cent over the past few months, should also stand the South Americans in good stead on the UK market.

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