The Chilean blueberry crop is estimated to reach 119,200 tonnes in 2012/13, of which 84,800 tonnes of fresh fruit will be exported worldwide, Andrés Armstrong of the Chilean Blueberry Committee has told Americafruit, Asiafruit and Eurofruit.
The export forecast marks a 21 per cent increase in volume against last season as a result of additional planted area and the expansion of existing plantations, as well as favourable weather conditions, Armstrong explained.
The biggest volume growth will come from the IX, X and XIV Regions, although the VII and VIII Regions of the central-south area will continue leading in terms of participation.
Chile’s 2012/13 blueberry season started during Week 37 (9-15 September), with the first volume harvested from the early producing regions being exported overseas by air.
According to the first crop report from the Committee, this season there has been a lower accumulation of chilling hours in comparison to previous years.
However, the organisation claims that there have been enough cold hours to expect sprouting and if the current weather pattern remains, Chile’s blueberry export dynamic during December should be similar to the previous season.
To that end, the first peak in exports is expected during Week 49, with fruit on time to arrive in destinations markets before Christmas, the report indicated.
The first volume harvested from the III and IV Regions was small, according to the crop report.
However, an improvement was recorded during Week 39 when volume rose to 13 tonnes, up from 0.3 tonnes in Week 38 following higher temperatures in both the III and IV Regions.
Although the volume is small, the report explained that to date it is higher than the previous season, when only 5 tonnes had been exported.
Volume this week (Week 40) is also set to be higher than projected, reaching around 22 tonnes.
The Chilean Blueberry Committee is anticipating a good quality crop this season.
