Chilean peach and nectarine production to decline in the next season

According to the latest GAIN report by USDA, in the campaign 2021/22, Chilean peach and nectarine production will reach 158,000 tons, which is 0.6% lower than in 2020/21.

The annual variation is explained by decreasing productivity due to drought with a relatively steady cultivated area for both fruits. 

In the last campaign, peach and nectarine planted area totaled 7,335 hectares.  

Area dedicated for peach cultivation decreased to 1,902 ha, a 10.1% decline over campaign 2019/20. 

The difficulties in commercializing peaches lead to decrease in production. Chilean peaches need to travel to distant markets which have very high standards for fruit quality and condition, and have low margins.

After long shippings peaches often encounter condition or quality issues upon arriving at commercial destinations. 

In contrast, nectarine planted area totaled 5,433 ha in 2020/21, a 1.9% increase over

2019/20.

Nectarine is a good alternative to diversify stone fruit production for producers who want to minimize the risk of exporting to a single market. 

The central part of Chile is beneficial for nectarine cultivation due to appropriate soil and climatic conditions for its production. 

This fruit is commercialized all over the world and new varieties are more resistant to long trips. The increasing trend in the nectarine cultivated area will offset the decline in peach cultivated area. In the campaign 2021/22, cultivated area will remain relatively steady (7,350 ha).

For the campaign 2021/22, exports are expected to decrease by 1%  totaling 98,000 tons due to the lower production volume. In the campaign 2020/21, Chilean peach and nectarine exports declined by 3% totaling 99,058 tons, with a value of $122.5 million. 

The U.S. was the number one destination for Chilean peach and nectarine exports in 2020/21. Exports to this country totaled 33,085 tons, +8.3% over 2020/21. 

The second most important destination was China. Chile only exports nectarines to this country. In 2020/21, exports to China totaled 26,231 tons, -13.3% over 2019/20. 

The decrease in exports to China is explained by delays in Chinese ports in late-January and February, which are the peak export months for Chilean nectarines. During that time, exporters had to reallocate nectarine exports to the United States, Europe, and Mexico.

source: fas.usda.gov

photo: gastrolab.com