Exports of fresh cherries from Chile have risen by an impressive 71 per cent up so far this season (2010/11), according to a report by SimFRUIT, based on figures from the Chilean Exporters Association (Asoex).
Up to 9 January 2011, SimFRUIT said sendings have reached some to 54,000 tonnes, of which close to 25,000 tonnes (up 88 per cent on last season) have been shipped to Asia – the leading market for the second consecutive year.
The US East Coast, meanwhile, has received some 14,000 tonnes of Chilean cherries, according to Asoex figures, followed by Europe with around 5m tonnes, the US West Coast (4,000 tonnes), Latin America (3,000 tonnes), Canada (540 tonnes) and the Middle East (124 tonnes).
Cherry growers in Chile expect to produce a record 11m (5kg) cartons of cherries in 2010/11 in comparison to 2009/10 when 6.5m-6.7m cartons were produced, according to fruit analyst Decofrut.
Chilean nectarine exports are also up 17 per cent to date this season at 12,000 tonnes, SimFRUIT reported, with the bulk of sendings (4,000 tonnes) headed for the US East Coast – an increase of 12.6 per cent on 2009/10.
Latin America has also absorbed 3,000 tonnes of Chilean nectarines, while the US West Coast has received 2,000 tonnes.
SimFRUIT said Europe has recorded a decline in arrivals of 5.87 per cent to just 1,000 tonnes, compared with the 2009/10 season.
