USDA projects unchanged Chilean apple production, lower pear output

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects Chilean apple production and exports to remain flat in the marketing year 2021-22.

For the season, Chilean apple production will total 1.09 million metric tons and exports should tally 637,000 metric tons, according to the USDA.

Apple acreage trends

Chilean apple producers are replanting some apple orchards with new varieties, but planted area is not increasing significantly due to competition from other fruit crops that are more profitable, according to the report. 

Some of the newer apple varieties in Chile are Brookfield Gala, Pink Lady, Rosy Glow, Ambrosia, Modi, and Buckeye, according to the USDA.

The Maule region, in the central-south part of the country, accounts for 60.8% of the apple planted area in Chile. The O’Higgins region, immediately to the north of Maule, represents 23.9% of the planted area.

Chile exports apples to 66 different countries and the top market is the U.S., the report said.

Chile exported 59,031 metric tons to the U.S. in 2020-21, a 13.6% increase over marketing year 2019-20.

Pear output lower

The USDA projects Chilean pear production at 217,000 metric tons in marketing year 2021-22, down 6.9% compared with last season. Pear exports from Chile in 2021-22 will total 112,000 metric tons for 2021-22, down 6.7% than the 2020-21 season. In general, the USDA said pear planted area is declining over time.

Chile’s main market for fresh pear exports are Italy, Russia, and the Netherlands. Exports to Italy increased by 29.6% totaling 18,649 metric tons and exports to Russia increased by 15.6% totaling 13,418 metric tons.