Rainfall takes toll on Chilean grape exports
Rainfall in late January caused a marked decline in Chile’s exports of grapes, apples and pears in the 2020-21 marketing year, according to new U.S. Department of Agriculture report.
The USDA report said intense rainfall affected table grape crops the most. Chile’s grape production and exports (to all destinations) will decline by 21% in marketing year 2020-21, totaling 615,000 metric tons and 475,000 metric tons, respectively.
From October 2020 to March 2021, U.S. imports of Chilean grapes totaled $471 million, down 7% from $507 million for the same period the previous year.
Grape decline
Chile’s table grape planted area in marketing year 2020-21 totaled 112,400 acres, a 4.9% decline compared with year-ago levels.
Although climatic conditions were favorable during winter and spring of marketing year 2020-21, heavy rainfall the last week of January damaged table grape crops that were ready for harvest, the report said.
The early harvested table grapes, produced in the regions of Atacama and Coquimbo were not hurt, while producer associations reported losses of up to 80% in orchards located in the O’Higgins region.
Looking to the future, the USDA report said Chile’s request to export table grapes to the U.S. is under a systems approach is pending USDA review.
Apples and pears
The USDA said Chile’s apple production will reach 1.09 million metric tons, a 4.8% decline compared with the previous year.
Exports of Chilean apples are estimated at 647,000 metric tons in 2020-21, a 2% decrease from a year ago.
Chile’s top markets for apple exports are the U.S., Colombia, and Ecuador.
The USDA said pear production will reach 200,000 metric tons for 2020-21, a 9.1% decline, and pear exports are pegged at 106,000 metric tons, an 8.6% decline.
