Chilean blueberry exports are forecast to rise by 7-19 per cent in 2015/16 according to the latest estimates from the Chilean Blueberry Committee, giving a total export crop of between 99,000 and 109,000 tonnes.
The committee said the first volume peak is expected in weeks 49 and 50, when shipments are expected to hit 4,000 tonnes and 6,000 tonnes respectively.
Delivering the forecasts at the committee’s annual meeting, executive director Andres Armstrong said he expect a strong season with adequate supply, which would allow the industry to continue with its market diversification strategy. The meeting also reviewed the promotional activities planned for the forthcoming season, as well as the current situation with botrana Lobesia.
“As an industry we have understood that climate events, increasingly prevalent worldwide, can affect our production potential and the quality and condition of our fruit significantly. That is why we pay attention to any circumstances that could affect our estimates, and provide as much advance information as we can to our markets,” Armstrong noted.
According to the projection, prepared for the committee by iQonsulting, the leading region in blueberry production is the Maule region, which is set to export a total of 36,283 tonnes this season, an increase of 35 per cent on last season’s total. It is followed by the Bio Bio region, with a total of 31,811 tonnes projected, and a projected increase of 8 per cent; and the region of La Araucania, which is projected to export 10,703 tonnes of blueberries, rising 6 per cent on the 2014/15 total.
