Chilean stone fruit growers and exporters believe that total overall exports will reach 35.3 million boxes in 2023-24, an increase of 15% over last season.
The Frutas de Chile Stone Fruit Committee has released a new estimate (including nectarines, Japanese plums, European plums and peaches), compiled with input from 44 companies, representing 84% of Chile’s global stone fruit exports last season, according to a news release.
The committee just launched a retail-focused marketing campaign in the U.S., working with retailers nationwide to drive sales of nectarines and plums, according to the release.
“There are significant opportunities for retailers to build winter stone fruit sales,” Karen Brux, North America managing director of Frutas de Chile, said in the release. “We’re developing in-store radio ads, demo programs, digital coupons, online videos, and other tactics to showcase nectarines and plums’ great flavor and nutrition.”
Promotions are ongoing and will continue into April, the release said.
Estimates for specific categories are as follows, according to the release:
- Nectarines — 11.5 million 8-kilogram boxes; 13% growth from last season. The committee noted strong growth in white-flesh nectarines; projected increase of 26%, representing 60% of total nectarine volume.
- Yellow-flesh nectarine volume is expected to decline by 2%, and now accounts for 40% of total nectarine volume, the committee said.
- Japanese Plums: 13 million 7-kilogram equivalent boxes; 16% growth from last season.
- Red plums are expected to grow by 7% and black plums by 15%, according to the committee.
- European Plums/Sugar Plums/D’Agen (exported primarily to Asia) — 8 million 9-kilogram boxes; 23% growth from last season.
- Peaches — 2.8 million 8-kilogram boxes, a decrease of 1% compared to last season.
