Chilean walnut exports are up 19 per cent on last season according to the latest figures from the Chilean Walnut Commission. Shipments to week 42 stood at 41,280 tonnes with approximately six months left to run of the season.
Exports to Turkey are up 39 per cent to 11,053 tonnes, while sendings to Germany have risen by 33 per cent to 4,495 tonnes. The biggest increase is in South Korea (+72 per cent to 3,000 tonnes) and UAE (+55 per cent to 2,086 tonnes). This season also saw the first shipment to Japan since it opened, with sendings totalling 728 tonnes so far. However, shipments to Hong Kong registered a fall of 17 per cent in the season to week 42.
September saw the launch of the second phase of the Walnuts from Chile marketing campaign in Europe, China and South Korea. The promotion, which is being jointly funded by the CWC and ProChile, is targeting the top end of the market, positioning Chilean walnuts as a premium product.
Jennyfer Salvo of ProChile said extensive work had been carried out at international trade fairs, in-store, and via seminars and social media, “the results of which show we are on the right path when it comes to the international positioning of the Chilean industry.”
Chile exported a total of US$246m in 2013, an increase of 24 per cent on the previous year.
