The record shipments of Chilean cherries are forecasted.

The agricultural and export sector expects this cherry export season to close with a new shipment record.

Forecasts for the new season. Shipments are expected to exceed 316,000 tons this season, which represents a growth of 36 percent, compared to the 228,591 tons that were exported in the previous period (from November 2019 to February 2020).

In total, the exports should reach $ 2 billion. According to the Association of Fruit Exporters (Asoex), China concentrated 93 percent of shipments in the previous season, and this year, they have already accumulated 95 percent of the 181 thousand tons shipped so far.

A new export leader. According to data from the Central Bank, in 2019 cherry shipments increased by 44 percent year-on-year to 1,562 million dollars. This figure was achieved thanks to higher demand from China, which made this fruit surpass grapes for the first time (1,194 million dollars).

The purchase of this product in the months of December, January and February increases due to the celebration of the Chinese New Year, which starts on February 12.

The president of Fedefruta, Jorge Valenzuela, assures that in 2020 they had a climate that favored the quality of the cherries; and that the current number of cultivated hectares surpasses the official figures. Due to this, the industry expects a record volume in the exports of the fruit.

He added that during this time they have followed all the temperature control rules, with the use of masks and alcohol gel in all production processes.

source: fedefruta