Chile’s table grape production will increase by 22% in the campaign 2021/22

According to a recent GAIN report from USDA, in the campaign 2021/22, Chile’s table grape production will reach 805.000 tons (+22% YOY). The rebound in production is derived from the increased production from new varieties cultivated in recent years and stabilized climatic conditions.

In the previous campaign, rainfalls in the regions of Valparaíso, O’Higgins, and Metropolitana during week 4 of 2021 damaged the table grape crop that was ready for harvest. As a result, production declined by 15.3%, reaching only 664.700 tons. Besides, revenues for growers in general were lower than expected, due to quality issues caused by excess moisture on the fruits.

In the campaign 2021/22, Chile’s table grape exports will total 645.000 tons (+22.8% YOY). This estimate assumes production will recover after the setback caused by the rainfalls in January 2021.

The United States remains the principal destination for Chilean table grape exports, totaling 48.5% of total. In the campaign 2020/21, table grape exports to the U.S. totaled 254.811 tons (-7.5% YOY).

For the past 10 years, table grape producers have shifted from traditional varieties to more modern, productive seedless varieties with a higher demand. Now, orchards with new varieties are starting to produce, boosting overall production volume.