Fruit falling from the trees has been a significant problem

Fruit falling from the trees has been a significant problem

The Chilean fruit industry is back up to full capacity after the devastating earthquake in February which severely disrupted the country’s export business.

The Chilean Exporters' Association (Asoex) reports that the country's fresh fruit industry has recovered to full capacity and that shipments from the main ports of the country have now returned to normal, sending crucial volumes of fruit to international markets.

There remained many orchards from which considerable quantities of apples, pears and kiwifruit could be sourced despite significant amounts of green-drop in some orchards, reports Asoex. A full harvest of clementines and Navel oranges is also imminent.

Ronald Bown, chairman of the board at Asoex, said: "Some fruit was inevitably lost and there were delays due to the harvest in the most affected areas, but growers, exporters and their workforce have been repairing the damage before the start of the winter season - getting their businesses and lives back in order.

"There is still some way to go in this fresh fruit season and we are confident that the industry has now largely overcome the most significant disruption it has ever faced. The fruit that remains in the system will be shipped to our international customers; there are no abnormal quality issues arising and we expect a relatively strong finish to our 2009-10 campaign."

The season to date has seen apple exports fall 26 per cent in comparison with the 2008-09 campaign up to week 14, with pear volumes down 24 per cent. Decofrut had estimated that apple exports would increase by 11 per cent year on year, or around 748,266 tonnes, with pears expected to rise 0.4 per cent to 127,175t.

Kiwifruit harvesting was slightly delayed, resulting in export volumes being lower by 27 per cent up to week 14 compared with the previous year. Chile's kiwifruit exports were initially expected to increase significantly this year, with Decofrut's earthquake-adjusted figures now pegging the crop at 195,000t, up 6.5 per cent.

The table grape crop has also been delayed, although volumes have not been significantly affected. Exports to week 14 were 15 per cent down on 2008-09, with a "significant" volume of late-season grapes available.

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