The Chilean fresh fruit export trade has reportedly managed to dodge all obstacles during its 2011/12 season despite uncertainty about marketing conditions as a result of the economic crisis in Europe and fall in the value of the US dollar.
As the 2011/12 export season comes to a close, exports are tipped to have fallen by 1 per cent in volume terms, while value is estimated to have risen thanks to a 10 per cent increase in prices, according to a report by La Estrategia.
Diversifying its exports to alternative destinations has apparently been the key to avoiding succumbing to the European economic crisis.
In 2011/12, Chile exported fresh fruit to more than 50 countries across all continents, La Estrategia said.
Table grapes retained their position as the biggest export item, with a positive season in which prices rose by 10 per cent, according to Fedefruta.
Apples, meanwhile, suffered a 15 per cent downturn in production due to high temperatures, but Decofrut said the shortfall resulted in very good prices in the US and Europe.
Both cherries and avocados rose in volume, with Fedefruta estimating that the cherry export crop was up by almost 30 per cent, of which 60 per cent went to Asia.
Dole continued to lead as the biggest Chilean fruit exporter to the world, followed by Unifrutti, according to La Estrategia.
Next season (2012/13), the industry is anticipating a positive campaign, with growth of around 5 per cent, the report said.
