U.S. imports of Chilean berries see big increase
A review of U.S. imports of Chilean produce reveals 2020-21 strong increases for blueberries, strawberries, apples, kiwifruit, plums and peaches.
On the other hand, U.S. imports of Chilean citrus, avocados and onions showed declines.
Total U.S. imports of fresh or frozen fruit totaled $1.88 billion from October 2020 through September 2021 totaled $1.88 billion, up 7% from $1.76 billion for the same period last year.
According to U.S. import numbers from October 2020 through September 2021, the value of Chilean imports, compared with year-ago levels, were:
- Fresh grapes: $632.8 million, about the same as $635.8 million compared with a year ago;
- Berries (excluding strawberries): $426.6 million, up 15% from $370.4 million;
- Fresh citrus: $357.75 million, down 8% from $389.2 million;
- Strawberries(fresh or frozen): $88.68 million, up 62% from $54.6 million;
- Fresh apples: $80.6 million, up 12% from $71.9 million;
- Fresh peaches: $65.3 million, up 2% from $64.2 million;
- Fresh kiwifruit: $48.87 million, up 37% from $35.7 million;
- Fresh plums: $41.5 million, up 10% from $37.6 million;
- Fresh pears: $16.27 million up 4% from $1.56 million;
- Fresh avocados: $2.5 million, down 85% from $16.95 million;
- Fresh garlic: $1.68 million, up 59% from $1.05 million;
- Fresh mangoes: $1.66 million, up 16% from $1.43 million;
- Fresh or frozen pineapples: $374,000, down 21% from $474,00; and
- Fresh onions: $264,000, down 62% from $698,000.
