Cherries and berries lead Chile’s strong start to the export season

Chile’s fruit export season has started on a strong footing, driven by high-value fresh fruit, growing frozen berry shipments and rising demand for organic products. New figures from Chile’s Subsecretariat for International Economic Relations (SUBREI) show fruit exports reaching USD 518 million in November 2025, extending the country’s streak of 15 consecutive months of growth in foreign trade.

Fresh cherries are leading the early season. Exports reached USD 300 million in November, nearly three times the value recorded in the same month last year. The sharp increase reflects solid demand in destination markets and Chile’s position as a reliable supplier, but it also raises pressure on harvest timing, cold storage capacity, labour availability and logistics during a highly concentrated shipping window.

Blueberries are also showing signs of recovery. Fresh blueberry exports totalled USD 12.08 million in November, up 60% year on year, following several challenging seasons marked by stronger competition from other origins. Growers are adjusting through better variety selection, tighter harvest management and more targeted market strategies.

At the same time, frozen berries are gaining importance as a complementary outlet. They allow fruit that does not meet fresh export standards to enter food processing, ingredient and bakery markets, supporting overall export growth and reducing waste.

Another clear trend this season is the expansion of organic exports. Between January and November, organic food shipments reached USD 368 million, up 19.5% compared with 2024. Growth was led by organic frozen berries, along with nuts. While organic production requires higher certification and management standards, it continues to attract premium markets focused on sustainability and traceability.

Overall, Chile’s food exports reached USD 12.54 billion in the first eleven months of the year, while non-traditional exports — including fruits, nuts, and berries — totalled nearly USD 42 billion. For the fruit sector, the challenge now is to turn strong early numbers into long-term growth by strengthening quality, logistics, sustainability and market diversification.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: blueberriesconsulting.com