Shipments expected to end by mid-August as lower volumes make for brisk movement in Northern Hemisphere markets
Chilean kiwifruit exports are projected to decrease by 14 per cent in volume in 2022/23 compared with last season. Carlos Cruzat, president of the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee, said lower availability, coupled with a 30 per cent fall in volumes of green kiwifruit from New Zealand, has resulted brisk sales movement in Northern Hemisphere markets and means that shipments will finish a month earlier than normal, probably by mid-August.
He noted that the quality of this year’s crop had been good thanks to a warm summer and an abundant supply of water. “Fruit this year is between one and one and a half sizes larger and dry matter–which plays a key role in the consumer’s eating experience – is greater than previous seasons,” he said.
This season saw extensive promotional campaigns carried out in India and the US. “India is a market that has been growing systematically for eight years. We have been carrying out promotional campaigns for five years, because there is an important knowledge and culture of food there,” Cruzat said.
He added that doctors also recommend eating products high in vitamin C, such as kiwifruit, as they are associated with fighting diseases like Dengue fever.
Cruzat said that while the US has been a stable market in sales volume, there is great potential for growth due to increasing health concerns during and after the Covid pandemic.
Chile’s kiwifruit output has steadily decreased over the past 20 years and is less than half of its historical peak due to the high number of old orchards affected by Psa being uprooted.
However, Cruzat said production is set to stabilise and could even increase by 2030 thanks to the renewal of old orchards and new plantations coming into production.
On 12-13 September Chile will host the 42nd convention of the International Kiwifruit Organisation in Curicó. The event brings together 12 key producing and exporting countries: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the US, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Chile, to discuss new trade opportunities and plan for the long-term development of the industry.
