Cherries, grapes and kiwis power Chile’s record agro-exports

Chile’s food exports reached a record-breaking $12.46 billion in the first half of 2025 — a 9.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to figures from ProChile's Market Intelligence Department. A major contributor to this surge was the fresh fruit sector, which alone accounted for over $2.7 billion, led by cherries, grapes, and kiwis.

Cherries stood out once again, generating $2.24 billion and growing 14.4% year-over-year. Their popularity held strong in China and the U.S., while new markets across Asia and Europe also responded well, thanks to targeted promotion campaigns and consistent quality.

Table grapes followed with $325 million in exports, rising 10.9%, mainly due to a successful season of seedless white and red varieties. Kiwi exports totalled $155 million, up 11.6%, driven by better sizing, firmness, and market performance in South Korea, India, and Eastern Europe.

The processed and dried fruit segment also broke records. Walnut exports rose 53.6% to US$145 million, and hazelnuts doubled, reaching $144 million, particularly in high-demand European markets like Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

The U.S. and China remained Chile’s top agri-food buyers, jointly accounting for nearly 46% of total exports. Meanwhile, emerging markets showed impressive growth:

Japan: +4.5% ($844M)

South Korea: +14.8% ($325M)

India: +19.7% ($73M)

ASEAN: +32.2% ($289M)

Europe: +22.7% ($2.04B)

Africa: +32.7% ($283M)

According to ProChile’s director Ignacio Fernández, these achievements reflect strong public-private coordination and a clear strategy centred on healthy, safe, and sustainable products.

Chile’s fruit sector has already surpassed $5 billion in combined fresh and dried fruit exports in just six months. With promising projections for citrus, blueberries, and apples, Chile is reinforcing its status as a top-tier global supplier of premium fruits.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: producereport.com