Chilean cherries

Chile’s 2020/21 bumper cherry harvest is even bigger than first thought. The second crop estimate released by the Chilean Cherry Committee on Friday points to an export crop of 316,184 tonnes, equivalent to 63.2m 5kg cartons.

This is an increase of 38.3 per cent on 2019/20, and almost 6,000 tonnes bigger than the original forecast.

China continues to be the main destination for Chilean cherries, with shipments peaking during the Chinese New Year period, which next year will be held on 12 February. This will give exporters a bigger window than last season, when CNY fell on 25 January, to carry out exports.

Once again, promotions in China will centre on the slogan “Enjoy The Red Moment”, reinforced with the message “Caring for Every Healthy moment”.

“Our aim is to focus on highlighting the nutrtion and safety of Chilean cherries but providing information about their contribution to health,” said Asoex marketing manager Ignacio Caballero.

For the first time this season, the committee is carrying out promotional campaigns in India, Vietnam and Thailand, on top of its campaigns in the US, South Korea and Brazil.