Frutas de Chile updates forecast for the blueberry season

Chile's Blueberry Fruit Committee shared an update on exports for the current season, highlighting the complexity of forecasting export volumes due to variable weather conditions. The joint analysis with iQonsulting, presented in the Crop Report, revealed that around 80 thousand tonnes of shipments are expected. This represents a slight decrease of 8.5% compared to last season, but exceeds the last revised estimate of 73,500 tonnes.

 

Andres Armstrong, executive director of the Committee, stressed that the current season was characterised by slower crop development, followed by concentrated peak weeks and an extended closure compared to the previous season. Despite the decrease in volume, it is expected to close with a better varietal mix and higher quality fruit, thus improving competitiveness in destination markets.

 

The Committee representative highlighted the importance of sending the best quality fruit to consolidate itself as a competitive player in future seasons. In addition, he pointed to a 200% increase in air shipments, indicating a shortage in supply to meet demand during certain weeks.

As for the current season, total exports up to week 3 amounted to 61,664 tonnes, 15.6% less than the previous season in the same period. The United States remains the main market, followed by Europe, Canada, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, with notable growth in Europe and Latin America.

 

Armstrong anticipated that, from week 4-2024, a decline in weekly volumes is expected. He noted that harvests in the Central-South zone, the largest exporting region, are coming to an end, while fruit in the South zone, the last part of the Chilean season, is slightly behind schedule, anticipating a slower and longer finish compared to last season. These favourable conditions could allow a larger volume of fruit for fresh export.

 

 

 

 

 

 

fuente: asoex.cl