Chilean fruit exports have slipped due to marked declines in table grape and red apple shipments, despite growth in some categories.
Chilean fresh fruit exports fell by 7.5 per cent to 1.56 million tonnes during the period between 1 September 2009 and 27 April 2010, down from 1.69mt last season, according to new figures released by the Chilean Exporters Association (Asoex) and reported by Diario Financiero.
The decline is attributable largely to unfavourable weather conditions during the production period, as well as the impact of the earthquake which struck on 27 February and its aftershocks, according to Asoex.
Decreases in table grape and red apple sendings were the most notable shortfalls, with volumes falling by 10.4 per cent and 14.2 per cent respectively compared to last season.
Chile has shipped 718,159t of table grapes, compared with 801,608t in 2008-09, so far this season. Red apple sendings, meanwhile, have slipped to 239,597t, down from 279,411t last season.
But Chilean avocado exports have risen significantly, with volume reaching some 146,592t - an impressive 115.9 per cent increase on the 67,895t recorded in 2008-09.
Other fruit categories have also performed well. Lemon and blueberry shipments were up by 273.8 per cent and 19.9 per cent respectively in comparison to last year.
The US and Europe remained the leading export destinations, receiving 709,468t and 406,363t respectively, ahead of Latin America with 214,394t.
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