Argentina: low volumes compared to last year, but quality ensures exports

22 Jan 2025
1677

“It will be difficult for the cherry exports to exceed the 7,000 tons reached last season,” said Aníbal Caminiti, general director of the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers (CAPCI), with a certain resignation, when asked about the evolution of the campaign. Not by chance, at the beginning of the harvest, it was expected that external placements of this product could reach the 8,000-ton threshold.

But the Chubut harvest failed, and estimates predicted that this season would bring just over 1,800 tons of cherries to the international market. “The damage caused by hail and the unusual rainfall ended up affecting more than 50% of the total harvest in Chubut. This scenario was not in anyone’s plans,” Caminiti confided.

During the last season, cherry exports almost reached 7,200 tons, and by the end of December this year, they had settled at 6,000 tons.

“We will have a record production in Río Negro, relatively normal in Neuquén and Mendoza, but we will suffer a strong drop in Chubut, which limits the last stage of exports of the system,” added the CAPCI manager.

When asked about the price crisis observed for cherries in the Chinese market, the businessman assured that it did not affect the Argentine offer, as many of the early fruits were distributed to other markets, maintaining high prices compared to those in China.

“Unlike Chile, which had quality problems in its exportable offer, our fruit was in high demand because it was of excellent quality,” explained Caminiti. He added that a significant percentage of the exports consisted of early cherries, meaning they entered the market when it was relatively “clean.” On the other hand, not much fruit was destined for the Chinese market. “We don’t have a commercial dependency on China like Chile,” he added.

As a reference, by the first week of 2025, the neighboring country had exported about 550,000 tons of cherries, of which around 510,000 (93%) were destined for the Chinese market.

“This season will not be negative for Argentine exporters. Prices have remained stable thanks to the quality of the cherries. We lacked volume, which unfortunately affected the producers in Chubut,” Caminiti confided at the end of the conversation.

Source: Más Producción
Image:  Más Producción


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

A study reveals that the rootstock-variety combination is key to increasing drought tolerance in cherry trees

Rootstocks

17 Apr 2026

CEAF research shows that rootstock and variety combinations influence drought tolerance in cherry trees in Chile, where rainfall is sharply declining. The study highlights strategies to improve water use efficiency and irrigation management in extreme climate conditions.

Experimentation on new cherry planting systems at FEM

Planting systems

27 Jun 2023

The plants were set up according to the chosen form of cultivation, in comparison with the traditional spindle, starting from one-year old rods. From the analysis of the data collected, some interesting indications for vegetative and productive aspects emerged.

In evidenza

INDUSER and ICOEL have formalised a strategic alliance to strengthen post-harvest technologies for cherries

Post-harvest​

21 Jul 2026

INDUSER and ICOEL strengthen Italy’s fresh produce industry through a strategic alliance focused on automation, associative weighing and multi-format packaging. The partnership combines technology, local support and solutions for cherries, blueberries and other produce.

Pot-grown cherry trees under polytunnels: fertigation and slow-release fertilisers are redefining fruit quality

Tech management

21 Jul 2026

In Norway, growing sweet cherries in containers under high-density tunnels delivers strong yields and cultivar-specific quality. The study compares fertigation with slow-release fertilizers on Van, Lapins and Regina, highlighting distinct responses in fruit composition.

Tag Popolari