Chilean fruit exports achieve 20-year high in 2024-2025

Chilean fruit exports reached $2.6 billion FOB between September and December 2024, marking a 26.5% increase over the previous season, according to the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA). This represents the highest export value in the past 20 years.

Fresh fruits accounted for 67.7% of the total export value, amounting to $1.78 billion FOB, a 40.7% ($516 million) increase compared to the same period last season. The volume of fresh fruit exports also surged by 49%.

Dried fruits represented 11.6% of total exports, totaling $306 million FOB, up 27.6% ($66 million) despite a 10% decrease in volume. Other fruit categories included dried fruits ($179 million, 6.8%), frozen fruits (5.1%), canned fruits (3.6%), fruit juices (3.5%), and fruit oils (1.7%). All categories, except canned fruits, saw a decline in value compared to the previous season.

Cherries were the top-performing fresh fruit export, surpassing $1 billion FOB and 187,000 tons. Cherry exports increased by 75% in value and 158.7% in volume compared to the previous season. China remained the primary destination, receiving 89% of the volume and 90% of the value.

Chile's total fruit production area in 2024 was approximately 372,576 hectares, growing at an average annual rate of 1.8% over the last five years. Cherries led the expansion, increasing by 32,295 hectares over five years with a 13% annual growth rate. In contrast, table grapes saw the largest decline, losing 14,589 hectares in the same period, with an annual decrease of 7%.

source: odepa.gob.cl

photo: chile.travel