Chilean fresh fruit exports rose by 2.9 per cent in January, compared with the same month last year, according to new figures released by Odepa and reported by SimFRUIT.
The growth was driven by increases in pear sendings (which rose by 48.1 per cent), avocados (25.7 per cent), nectarines (12.8 per cent), blueberries (11.4 per cent), plums (9.3 per cent) and cherries (9.1 per cent).
During the month-long period, only three Chilean fruit items recorded export declines, led by apples (down by 90.9 per cent), lemons (-97.6 per cent) and table grapes (-1.2 per cent).
Exports of almonds and shelled nuts also rose by 18.6 per cent in January 2012 compared with January 2011, but the volume represented just 3 per cent of annual exports.
Despite the growth, the report pointed out that in January most exports were only just getting underway at the beginning of the season, apart from blueberries, cherries and avocados.
As such, Odepa said the major decreases recorded for apples and lemons relate to exports which account for just 1 per cent of the annual output and are therefore not indicative of a season-long trend.
According to the report, Chilean stonefruit exports are anticipated to increase this year (except peaches), as are pear shipments and table grape sendings.
The outlook comes on the back of good weather conditions during the production period for most fruits, with sufficient cold hours in the winter and abundant flowering and fructification in spring.
Odepa also claims that Chile’s external markets are proving to be quite active at the start of 2012, with prices at similar levels to last season for the majority of fruit categories.
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