A new report by the Chilean Exporters Association (Asoex) has stated that the country's fresh fruit industry has recovered to full capacity following the earthquake that hit parts of the country in February.
According to the group, shipments from the main ports of the country have now returned to normal, sending crucial volumes of fruit to international markets.
While the earthquake caused 'substantial' green-drop in some orchards, there remained many orchards from which considerable quantities of apples, pears and kiwifruit could be sourced, ASOEX said, soon to be followed by a full harvest of clementines and navel oranges.
'Some fruit was inevitably lost and there were delays due to the harvest in the most affected areas, but growers, exporters and their workforce have been repairing the damage before the start of the winter season – getting their businesses and lives back in order,' said Ronald Bown, chairman of the board at ASOEX.
'There is still some way to go in this fresh fruit season and we are confident that the industry has now largely overcome the most significant disruption it has ever faced,' Mr Bown added. 'The fruit that remains in the system will be shipped to our international customers; there are no abnormal quality issues arising and we expect a relatively strong finish to our 2009/10 campaign.'
The season to date has seen apple exports fall 26 per cent in comparison with the 2008/09 campaign up to the same week (14), with pear volumes down 24 per cent. Decofruit had estimated that apple exports would increase by 11 per cent year-on-year, or around 748,266 tonnes, with pears expected to rise 0.4 per cent to 127,175 tonnes.
Kiwifruit harvesting was slightly delayed, resulting in exports volumes being lower by 27 per cent up to week 14 compared with the previous year. Chile's kiwifruit exports were initially expected to increase significantly this year, with Decofrut's earthquake-adjusted figures now pegging the crop at 195,000 tonnes, up 6.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, the table grape crop has also been delayed, although volumes have not been significantly affected. Exports to week 14 were 15 per cent down on 2008/09, with a 'significant' volume of late-season grapes available.
