Exports of Chilean table grapes are tipped to rise by 11.9 per cent during 2010/11, according to preliminary estimates released by iQonsulting and reported by Portal Frutícola.
Sendings could reach 893,904 tonnes this season, provided temperatures are mild, due to a production recovery following the inclement weather conditions which negatively affected volume in 2009/10.
To date, iQonsulting says there are no issues reported with production in the north of Chile, except in the high zones of the Copiapó valley where frosts last week caused temperatures to fall to between -1.5oC and -3oC.
Losses in Copiapó are estimated at around 250,000 cartons or 2,000 tonnes, according to iQonsulting.
From the V Region to the south of Chile, meanwhile, the development of vines is well underway and following a good accumulation of cold hours during the Chilean winter.
As a result, iQonsulting expects production and exports from these areas to surpass levels achieved 2009/10.
Variety-wise, the greatest increase in volume will come from white seedless grapes (such as Thompson Seedless and Sugraone) as well as Flame Seedless.
