Exports of fresh fruit from Chile fell slightly by 1.1 per cent in volume terms during the first half of 2012, according to figures compiled by Odepa and reported by SimFRUIT.
The main decrease was registered by peaches, which fell by 9.5 per cent; followed by blueberries, which were down by 7.3 per cent; apples (-5.6 per cent); table grapes (-4.2 per cent) and nectarines (-2 per cent).
However, as the year progresses the decline has slowed on account of important increases in citrus, avocados and kiwifruit output, according to Odepa data.
To date, Chilean orange sendings have risen by an impressive 97 per cent, but only a little more than 10 per cent of the annual volume has been shipped so far this season.
Avocados, meanwhile, have risen by 50 per cent, while mandarins have increased by 34.4 per cent with more than 50 per cent of the crop already exported.
Kiwifruit has shown an 11.8 per cent increase in shipments, reflecting the significant role played by the Chilean Kiwifruit committee in controlling export quality.
Lemon sendings have also risen by 4.6 per cent, Odepa said, with almost half of the crop sold.
Plums as well as pears have also had a positive year, registering an export growth of 3.8 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively.
