Chile flexes big supply of winter fruit

Chile is a powerhouse supplier of fruit to the U.S. market, and its success over the past 30 years has attracted more competition.

Chile accounted for 41% of U.S. import grape value from September 2021 through August 2022, up from 39% for the same period in 2021 but down from 64% in 2015 and nearly half of its 76% share in 2000.

For berries, excluding strawberries, Chile accounted for 9% of total U.S. imports in 2022, down from 14% in 2021, 21% in 2015 and 11% in 2000.

Chile represents 20% of U.S. citrus imports by value in 2022, unchanged from 2021 and about the same as in 2015.

In 2022, Chile commands big market share advantages in 2022 for U.S. imports of cherries (53%), plums (91%), peaches (98%) and apples (52%). For pears, Chile accounts for 18% of U.S. import pear value in 2022.

Chile accounts for 24% of U.S. kiwifruit imports, down from 26% in 2021 and off from 41% in 2015.

Blueberry and cherry outlook

For the upcoming season, the Chilean Blueberry Committee, with the consulting firm iQonsulting, has estimated export volume of 98,228 tons of fresh blueberries from Chile for the 2022-23 season, down about 8% compared with last year. Shipments to the U.S. began in October and will continue through February, according to the committee.

Chilean cherry shipments to the U.S. began the last week of October and will ramp up and continue into February, said Karen Brux, managing director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.

Chile is the world’s largest exporter of cherries, shipping 77.8 million boxes around the globe last year, she said. Chile projects that cherry exports to the U.S. will see substantial growth in 2021-22, with nearly 13,000 metric tons expected for the U.S. market this season.