Latest News From Chilean Produce

A review of U.S. imports of Chilean produce reveals 2020-21 strong increases for blueberries, strawberries, apples, kiwifruit, plums and peaches.

Chilean grape production should see a big rebound in the 2021-22 marketing year, according to a new estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service.

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.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee projects global export volumes of 117,000 metric tons in 2021-22,  similar to the total exported the previous season.

Marketers say they are gearing up for promotable volumes of fruit from Chile for the upcoming winter months.

A systems approach regulation, recently published in the Federal Register, should facilitate organic blueberry shipments from Chile to the U.S., said Karen Brux, managing director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.

Industry leaders anticipate a good season for Chilean blueberry production and exports to the U.S. through the winter months.

Chilean fresh blueberry exports are expected to increase 4% from last season to this season, reaching 115,000 tons.

Chile gives North American consumers a “taste of summer” when they need it the most.

Chile’s stone fruit exports to the U.S. won’t have any big surprises for the 2018-19 season, most observers think.

Chilean table grape exports to the U.S. could decline slightly in 2018-19 as more attractive prices in China may pull some volume away from North America.

Marketers say it’s important for retailers to promote product at retail as “Fresh from Chile” as millennials are driving sales and they are conscious of where their food comes from.

Chile offers retailers another source to supply the expanding organic market and meet year-round consumer demand.

Imports from Chile offer retailers a counter-seasonal supply of fruits from cherries and blueberries to grapes and stone fruit. Supply and quality look good, marketers say.