A new report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has predicted that favourable weather conditions in key growing areas will lead to an increase in production volumes of Chile's apples, pears and table grapes in 2009.
The study said that as a result of the larger crops, exports would also increase across all three categories next year.
Good temperature differences between day and night during spring are expected to have a positive effect on the country's apple harvest in terms of both quality and volume, the USDA said. Exports, which are expected to total 775,000 tonnes by the end of 2008, could jump over a record 800,000 tonnes next year, with the US remaining as the leading importer.
Similarly, overall grape volumes are expected to rise in 2009 following good winter and spring weather. Exports are forecast to rise from 800,000 tonnes this past season to 810,000 tonnes, with the US again the leading importer of the fruit.
Pear exports will also jump due to a growth in crop, the USDA report said, up from 132,000 tonnes in 2008 to approximately 135,000 tonnes next year. Nearly 50 per cent of the country's grape exports will head to the European Union.
