Exports of Chilean blueberries are recovering following heavy rainfall and hailstorms in the south-central area of the country during the Christmas period, according to the latest crop report from the Chilean Blueberry Committee.
Volume jumped to 7,812 tonnes in week 51 as suppliers prioritised the fresh export market, the report said, bringing total shipments to date to some 26,094 tonnes.
However, the overall figure is still down by 5 per cent on last season and 3 per cent short of the original estimate, according to the committee.
The frozen market, meanwhile, is seeing 30 per cent less fruit than expected as a result of the industry’s focus on fresh sales.
The revised estimate for fresh Chilean blueberry exports is now 79,367 tonnes, the committee revealed, an improvement on the 72,000-tonne forecast which was previously feared.
During week 51, the report indicated that around 6,300 tonnes were distributed in the US, of which 16 per cent was sent by air compared with 36 per cent in the previous week.
Europe also received 784 tonnes, followed by Asia with 502 tonnes and other markets with 190 tonnes.
For week 52 the committee estimates that around 5,500 tonnes of fresh blueberries will be exported globally, down from the previously estimated 6,951 tonnes due to the rainfall affecting the rate of harvest.
The bulk of Chile’s blueberry crop currently comprises mid-season varieties, with Legacy contributing the highest volume.
Chile’s VII and VIII Regions represent the biggest areas in terms of volume output presently, while the south is being incorporated into the deal, with a crop mainly coming from the IX Region.
