Santiago-based consultancy iQonsulting is warning that the steep rise in the price of Chilean kiwifruit seen in recent weeks could lead to a slowdown in international sales. Sendings are down sharply following last September’s freeze and analysts are warning that the resulting price hikes could impact the smooth flow of exports.
Shipments to week 24 totalled 2,600 tonnes compared with 3,700 tonnes in the year-earlier period. Together with the shorter New Zealand crop this has resulted in averages prices rising by 39 per cent more than at this point last year in the US Europe (excluding Russia and the UK), Asia and Latin America.
iQonsulting questioned how much more prices could rise before sales begin to slow down. “The price gap between Chilean and New Zealand kiwifruit is narrower than ever and this could affect sales,” the company said, adding that growers were hopeful that the market would go on to achieve a better balance between supply and demand.
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