Exports of Chilean cherries contracted by 27.3 per cent to 51.9m tonnes this season compared with the 2011/12 campaign, according to new figures from the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (Asoex), reported by La Tercera.
Asoex president Ronald Bown attributed the downturn to unfavourable weather conditions during Chile’s spring period which affected the pollinisation process and fruit development.
The Chilean winter also saw fewer cold hours in comparison to last season which resulted in non-uniform budding, the report said.
Meanwhile, the flowering period was hit by various rainfalls and low temperatures, which damaged fruit quality and condition.
As a result of the production shortfall, all export markets experienced a reduction in arrivals this season.
The number of exporters also fell from 206 last season to 168 companies in 2012/13, marking a decline of 18.4 per cent.
Although Asia retained its position as Chile’s leading cherry market with 70.2 per cent of the export volume, its market share shrank by 16.7 per cent compared with 2011/12.
Within Asia, however, the Chinese mainland posted a 50.5 per cent increase in arrivals.
Sendings to the US fell by 48.4 per cent to 8,000 tonnes, while Europe recorded an almost identical contraction in arrivals of 48.9 per cent to 3,000 tonnes.
Latin America, meanwhile, maintained a steady share of Chile’s cherry exports with 8 per cent of the volume or a total of 4,000 tonnes, down 30.1 per cent against 2011/12.
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