Chile forecasts record 2025/26 cherry harvest amid ongoing expansion

Chile’s cherry industry continues its upward trajectory, with production for the 2025/26 marketing year projected at 730,000 metric tons — a 6.7% increase over the previous season. According to the latest USDA Stone Fruit Annual Report (Santiago, 2025), exports are expected to climb to 670,000 metric tons, reflecting both expanded plantings and the maturation of young orchards.

The total planted area is estimated at 80,000 hectares, up 4.6% from 2024/25, while the harvested area is set to reach 74,000 hectares. The Maule and O’Higgins regions remain the country’s main production hubs, accounting together for more than 80% of total acreage.

China continues to dominate as Chile’s top export destination, followed by the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. However, the report notes that oversupply during the 2024/25 season led to lower prices and inconsistent fruit quality, prompting a renewed industry focus on stricter quality control and postharvest handling.

Leading cultivars such as Santina, Lapins, and Regina remain preferred for their adaptability and shelf life, with Santina increasingly favoured in new projects.

For peaches and nectarines, combined production in 2025/26 is forecast at 205,000 MT, up 3.4% from last year, with exports expected to match that growth to 146,000 MT. While nectarine orchards continue expanding, peach plantings are gradually declining.

source: apps.fas.usda.gov

photo: smartcherry.cl