The Chilean Cherry Committee, representing more than 85% of the volume of global Chilean cherry exports, has lowered its estimate of the 2023-24 crop and projected exports.
The committee in late November forecast global exports of 81,477,564 million (11-pound) boxes, a decrease of 14.6% from their first estimate in October, and slightly lower (-1.89%) than last season’s total exports, according to a news release.
“It’s been very challenging for the industry to estimate how volumes have been affected by El Niño,” Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee, said in the release. “Volumes vary from week to week, and the impact of adverse weather conditions, like the latest rains, cannot be immediately understood. We will be sending updated volume estimates as the season progresses.”
Week 51 (Dec. 18-24) remains the peak week for global exports of Chilean cherries, the release said.
“There is strong demand throughout our global markets, so our efforts are focused on shipping the fruit with the quality and condition that the markets expect. Despite the drop in volumes, we are confident that it will be a good season,” Soler said.
