Exports of cherries from Chile are forecast to fall by 37 per cent this season following rainfall in the central-south region of the South American nation, according to a report by SimFRUIT.
“The fruit has split, damaging exports,” explained Cristian Tagle, president of the Chilean Cherry Committee, formed by the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (Asoex).
According to initial estimates from the committee, exports will now only reach between 44,500 tonnes and 45,500 tonnes in 2012/13, down 37 per cent on last season.
As a result, sendings to Asia, specifically China, will fall by 20-25 per cent, while the US and Europe will see larger volume contractions of approximately 30-40 per cent.
On that basis, the committee said fruit losses are set at US$80m, while additional losses to returns will push up the total figure to some US$145m.
Although Tagle explained that more accurate assessment would be made during the coming weeks he revealed that some growers have decided not to harvest in certain producing zones due to the condition of the fruit, while other producers have reported a loss of almost 50 per cent of their export crops.
Close to 85 per cent of Chile’s cherry crop is exported globally. The sector is reportedly the most affected by the recent rainfall in Chile, the report said.
Before the inclement weather, Chilean cherry exports were apparently forecast to rise by 11 per cent to 78,000 tonnes in 2012/13, up from 71,000 tonnes last season.
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