Value of Chilean fruit exports hits historic highs

Between January and April 2024, Chilean fruit exports reached almost 1.5 million tonnes (+3.8%), the second best result after 2018, according to the new bulletin from Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa). In value terms, exports achieved an all-time record of $ 4,441 million (+7.2%), increasing for the fourth consecutive year.

 

In the first four months of 2024, cherries accounted for 46.1% of Chile's total fruit exports, followed by grapes (18.9%), blueberries (11.2%), plums (8.3%) and apples (3.3%).

 

 

Distribution of exports

 

Of the total exports, 88% corresponded to fresh fruits, 10.8% to processed fruits (frozen, dehydrated, preserves, juices and oils) and 1.2% to dried fruits. Fresh fruits amounted to 1.3 million tonnes (+3.6%) valued at $ 3,908 million (+8.0%). In terms of value, cherries led with 52% of shipments, followed by grapes (20.1%), blueberries (10.6%), plums (7.5%) and nectarines (3.3%).

 

As for dried fruits, they accounted for 1% of the total value with shipments of 12.5 thousand tonnes (-46.1%) valued at $53.5 million (-45.9%). The main fruits in this category were walnuts (55.9%), hazelnuts (29.2%) and almonds (14.0%).

During this period, Chilean fruit exports reached more than 90 destinations, the main ones being:

 

China: 51.1% of shipments, with 507 thousand tonnes (+11.2%) valued at $ 2,267 million (+8.2%).

 

United States: 21.7% of shipments, with 449 thousand tonnes (+11.3%) valued at $ 964 million (+15.1%).

 

The Netherlands: 4% of shipments, with 59 thousand tonnes (-4.4%) valued at $160 million (+7.8%).

 

United Kingdom: 2% of shipments, with 30 thousand tonnes (-5.7%) valued at $ 91 million (+14.7%).

 

Brazil: 2% of shipments, with 44 thousand tonnes (+2.9%) valued at $ 87 million (+21.6%).

 

 

 

Details by fruit

 

Cherries: 347,789 tonnes (+13.6%) valued at $ 2,048 million (+12%). China accounted for 91.7% of shipments.

 

Grapes: 459,122 tonnes (-0.4%) valued at $ 840 million (+1.7%). The United States was the main destination with 58%.

 

Blueberries: 100,179 tonnes (+10.3%) valued at $ 495 million (+32.2%). The United States accounted for 43.1%.

 

Plums: 182,000 tonnes (+23.2%) valued at $ 367 million (+5.8%). China was the main destination with 61.1%.

 

Apples: 134 thousand tonnes (-8.7%) valued at $ 147 million (-7.1%). Colombia was the main destination with 17.7%.