Chile is forecasting record exports of cherries this season

The Frutas de Chile cherry committee forecast export growth of 59 percent compared to last season, executives said during a “cherry blossom” event held in Chibarongo, Simfruit reported.

“We will send 131,587,007 boxes of 5-kilogram fresh cherries to the world, equivalent to 657,935 tons, which is a record number for Chilean cherry exports,” said Claudia Soler, executive director of the Frutas de Chile Cherry Committee.

Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile, said: “Cherries are now the star of Chile’s fruit exports to the world, our national pride, reflecting an industry that has grown steadily over the last decade, up to 27 percent of the total Fresh fruit sent abroad.”

Soler noted that the forecast for this season is a forecast according to the data provided by the members of the Cherry Committee for the period from September 23 to October 1, 2024, so “there will be some changes during the season could come.”

However, he said a good season and favorable weather conditions are expected.

For her part, Interim Agriculture Minister Ignacia Fernández pointed out that “public-private coordination in the cherry sector is fundamental and at the heart of Chile’s agricultural export strength.” Collaboration between our services and cherry growers takes place on a daily basis, for example in packaging, where SAG teams will be deployed alongside workers to ensure that our product achieves the excellent quality and phytosanitary safety that characterizes Chile.”

In terms of varieties, Chile expects to export 38.3 million boxes of Santina, a significant increase of 121 percent compared to last season. Likewise, 45.7 million cases of Lapins are forecast to be shipped, an increase of 29 percent. There will now be 24.3 million boxes, which corresponds to an increase of 53 percent compared to the previous year. We will export 23.2 million boxes of the remaining varieties.

Soler said: “China will continue to be the main target market for our cherries, but we will continue to diversify our exports to other interesting markets within and outside Asia.”

The Cherry Committee plans to invest more than $9 million in direct advertising efforts in markets of interest this year, an increase of 118 percent compared to last season.