Challenging season reshapes Chile’s cherry export map

Chile’s fresh cherry exports declined by 9% in the 2025/26 season to about 113.8 million boxes, mainly due to lower production and adverse weather conditions. according to iQonsulting’s 2026 Yearbook on the International Cherry Market.

Production

The report links the smaller crop to orchard adjustments after the previous season’s oversupply, together with frost, rainfall during flowering and lower winter chill, which reduced fruit set. As a result, export volumes to the Far East declined, particularly to China, which still accounted for 87% of total shipments. Deliveries to that market fell by 13% compared with the previous season.

Timing

Harvesting took place earlier and within a shorter period due to weather conditions. Combined with a later Lunar New Year in week 8, this created a temporary build-up of supply and slowed sales during peak marketing weeks.

Markets

Despite the overall decline, the season showed progress in destination diversification. Markets outside China increased their share to 13% of total exports, the highest level since the 2017/18 season. Key alternative destinations included the United States (4%), Taiwan (2%), South Korea (1%), and Brazil (1%), which remained the main Latin American market and the fifth largest destination overall.

Competition

In the United States, imports of cherries from the Southern Hemisphere rose by 20%, driven mainly by higher shipments from Chile, while Argentina reduced exports due to lower production. Chile maintained a dominant 94% share of counter-season supply in that market.

Prices

In Europe, Chile remained the leading supplier. Demand stayed firm at the start of the season following a smaller Northern Hemisphere crop, supporting strong early prices. However, prices later stabilised at levels similar to the previous season and remained below the peak recorded in 2023/24.

source and photo: frutasdechile.cl, iqonsulting.com