Chilean organic blues

Korea’s position as a key Asian market for Chilean fruit has continued with exports increasing 19 per cent through the 2020/21 export season (09/01/20 to 08/02/21).

According to a report from Simfruit, statistics released by Asoex show Chile shipped 5.71m boxes (8.2kg) of fresh fruit to Korea, an increase of 19.84 per cent compared to the same period in 2019/20.

Korea is Chile’s second largest export market for fruit behind China in Asia, accounting for 4.8 per cent of fruit exported to the region. Table grapes (2.94m boxes), blueberries (1.27m boxes) and cherries (1.16m boxes) were the main fruits exported to Korea this season.

Additionally, 199,808 boxes of lemons, 66,401 boxes of avocados, 33,120 boxes of oranges and 26,600 boxes of kiwifruit were also sent.

The two fruits driving this season’s increase have been blueberries and cherries. Exports of these fruits to Korea in 2020/21 grew 60.74 per cent and 79.62 per cent respectively, compared to the same period in 2019/20.

This season was also the first opportunity for Chile to export avocados to Korea after it gained access in September 2020.