Chilean kiwifruit exports are tipped to increase by 6 per cent to 194,649 tonnes this year, compared with 183,632 tonnes in 2009, according to the latest figures released by Decofrut.
“The increase in volume is due to new orchards entering commercial bearing and yield improvements on existing plantations, as well as the expansion of planted area during the last few seasons,” Manuel José Alcaíno, chairman of Decofrut told Fruitnet.com.
Although Mr Alcaíno admitted that the 27 February earthquake caused some fruit to fall from trees in affected areas, he assured that the overall crop volume will not decrease significantly against the pre-season estimate.
“Fruit quality is looking good and sizes appear normal for the early crop,” he explained, adding that problems with irrigation systems – caused by the loss of power due to the earthquake – could affect the sizes of later fruit.
Shipments are already on the water, according to Decofrut, with the first volume expected to arrive on Northern Hemisphere markets towards the end of the month.
