Frutas de Chile projects exports to exceed US$ 7 billion by 2024
We are setting records in volumes, but also in value. Today, without a doubt, we can say that our fruit is worth more thanks to the industry's efforts to improve quality". Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile.
The 2023-24 fruit export season will be remembered as one of the best in a long time for Chile's fruit export sector. This was highlighted by the president of Frutas de Chile, Iván Marambio: "We are setting records in volumes, but also in value. Today, we can undoubtedly say that our fruit sector has been able to achieve the best results in a long time.
In terms of volume, the 2023-24 season (September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024) culminated with 2,588,684 million tons of fresh fruit shipped to the world, showing an increase of 7.1% over the previous season. The increase in value was 14%.
Marambio added that these good results mean greater investments, more work and, above all, a greater economic contribution to the country's growth and development. "We are, after mining, Chile's second largest exporter, with shipments that will exceed US$ 7 billion by 2024 and are projected to reach US$ 10 billion by 2030," he said.
The president of Frutas de Chile also pointed out that the Chilean fresh fruit season closed with growth in all destination markets, with the United States being the main export destination, with an increase of close to 16%. Europe, meanwhile, showed a growth of 11%, "which indicates that today there are opportunities to increase shipments and recover our share of the imported fresh fruit market", explained Iván Marambio.
In terms of volume, the union noted that shipments to the US reached 846,801 tons, while fruit exports to Asian markets closed with 738,202 tons (+1%). Latin America, meanwhile, was in third place, with 513,351 tons and an increase of 1.4%. Europe received 411,912 tons, up 11%. The Middle East totaled an increase of 7% (39,797 tons), and Canada closed with 38,621 tons (+3%).
In terms of species, if analyzed by volume, grapes regained first place, positioning themselves as the most exported fresh fruit, with shipments of 528,863 tons, showing an increase of 6.6%. This was followed by apples, with 517,644 tons, and an increase of 2.4%. Cherries were the third most exported fruit, with 413,978 tons, reaching a new record in China, with 3.3% growth over the previous year. Fresh plums were not far behind with 170,314 tons and an increase of 24%.
Highlights of the season
According to Marambio, the 2023-24 export year was marked by three important milestones for the sector: the progress of the Systems Approach for table grape exports; the opening of peaches and apricots in China; and the launch of the Frutas de Chile brand.
"Achieving the Systems Approach for shipments to the United States of our fresh grapes from Atacama, Coquimbo and Valparaíso is perhaps one of the greatest events of the past season. It was more than 20 years of negotiations and public-private work. We have been preparing to begin the first shipments of fresh grapes under this system in December. Not only will we deliver fruit of better quality and condition to consumers, but also costs for producers and exporters will be lower, we will improve our competitiveness in the main destination for Chilean grapes, and we will take another step forward in sustainability," he said.
Today, Asian markets have become key markets for Chilean fresh fruit, especially China. For this reason, the sector celebrated the opening of China for Chilean peaches and apricots in December 2023. "With this, we became the only country to have all its fruits approved to enter the Chinese market," explained Marambio.
As a third aspect, Iván Marambio highlighted the change of brand to Frutas de Chile, which seeks to promote the consumption of Chilean fruit in the international and domestic markets. "It is a brand that makes us very proud, because it represents the values of passion, excellence and empathy with which each producer and exporter carries out its work, but it is also a brand that allows us to show a united industry, where what matters is to deliver the best of Chile through its fruit," he said.
What's ahead for 2024 - 2025
The president of Frutas de Chile referred to the new 2024-25 export season, which began on September 1 with the first shipments of fresh blueberries and cherries.
In the case of cherries, the guild projects a 59% increase in shipments, a figure that will set a new export record for this fruit, whose main market is China. In the case of blueberries, Frutas de Chile expects to ship 135,501 tons (fresh and frozen), reflecting a growth of 3.2% over last year. In addition, they estimate that shipments of new varieties will increase by 26%, totaling more than 16 thousand tons.
"From Frutas de Chile we have worked hard to make the 2024-25 season a successful one. The quality of our fruit, together with strategic investments in the sector, will allow us to reach record figures that will highlight the contribution of fruit growing to our country," he closed.
Check out the original article on the Frutas de Chile website.
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