Chilean fruit is displacing local production and putting downward pressure on prices
Record shipments of Chilean cherries this November are causing concern amongst Argentine producers. Argentina has seen an unprecedented influx of Chilean fruit as early as the beginning of November, which industry representatives say will have a significant impact going forward. With the bulk of the Argentine crop sold during January or February, the availability of cheaper Chilean cherries is set to put increasing downward pressure on prices.
“In January and February of this year, cherry imports tripled compared to the average of the last five years,” Aníbal Caminiti, manager of the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers (Capci) told Más Producción. “Not only did prices plummet, but it became difficult to sell the fruit.”
Of the 14,000 tonnes of cherries that Argentina produces annually, 50 per cent are sold on the market. But higher production costs, electricity rates, and taxes make it difficult for Argentine producers to compete with their Chilean neighbours.
To try to close the gap, Argentine producers have identified a range of potential cost-saving measures, including cutting the price of electricity, expediting the VAT refund paid on exports and reducing the tax burden on producers. However, these are dependent on the regional and national governments.
“If we look at it from the consumer’s perspective,” Caminiti added, “more will surely be added, because cherries are usually expensive for the Argentine consumer. From that point of view, one could say it’s beneficial. But, from the producer’s perspective, the influx of Chilean cherries means we can’t compete on Argentine costs.”
Separately, Chile’s San Antonio Terminal (STI) fired the starting gun on its maritime shipments of Chilean cherries on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by Frutas de Chile and agriculture minister Ignacia Fernández.
The number of available vessels will increase to 32, including four Cherry Express services. Currently, STI, operated by Hanseatic Global Terminals and SSA Marine, is the Chilean terminal with the most services during the cherry season.
Around 90 per cent of Chile’s fresh cherries are shipped by sea, with the Cherry Express taking just 23 days to reach China.
“Our direct service offerings demonstrate that we are the main departure point for Chilean cherries destined for Asia. Sixty per cent of the Cherry Express services, which are essential for reducing transit times between Chile and China, operate at STI,” said STI’s general manager Andrés Albertini.
“This requires us to continue strengthening the industry’s competitiveness and reinforcing our commitment to providing a continuous, efficient, and safe operation for exporters.”
According to estimates from the Chilean Cherry Committee, exports for the 2025/26 season are projected to reach 131mn cartons, equivalent to 655,000 tonnes.
“Each cherry season presents a large-scale logistical challenge. Coordination among the various stakeholders in the supply chain is key to maintaining the sector’s competitiveness and continuing to position Chile as a leader in fruit exports,” said the committee’s executive director Claudia Soler.
