The figure represents about 35 per cent of total shipments to North America for 2024/25
Chile will export around 56,000 tonnes of table grapes, equivalent to almost 7mn cartons, to the US under the Systems Approach this season.
The figures, released by the Chilean Grape Committee, signify that around 35 per cent of all grapes sent to North America for 2024/25 will be exempts from fumigation and instead undergo inspection at origin.
This is the first season that the new protocol – covering shipments from the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo and Valparaíso – has been in operation, and exporters have high expectations that it will improve their fortunes in the North American market.
The committee estimates that the Atacama region will export 24,595 tonnes (3mn cartons) of the total, while Coquimbo will send 26,681 tonnes (3.3mn cartons) and Valparaíso 5,185 tonnes (632,000 cartons). In total, these shipments are expected to generate returns of more than US$100mn.
In total, Chile expects to ship around 161,000 tonnes of grapes to the US this season, including those sent under the Systems Approach, equivalent to almost 20mn cartons.
Ignacio Caballero, executive director of the Table Grape Committee, commented: “With the approval of the Systems Approach following more than 20 years of negotiations, we hope to further boost our shipments and our competitiveness in the main destination of our grapes, the US, since this protocol favours the quality, condition and flavour of this fruit, and most importantly contributes to the sustainability of the fresh fruit industry in general”.
