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

22 Jan 2025
1500

“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

Chilean cherries in China: critical issues and remedies in post-harvest management

Post-harvest​

24 Dec 2025

Jessica Rodríguez analyses the problems of rot in Chilean cherries exported to China in 2024/25, highlighting causes, impacts and solutions adopted. The report highlights critical issues in post-harvest management, sanitisation and product storage.

Using artificial intelligence to classify cherries

Post-harvest​

13 Aug 2024

In the study conducted at the Isparta University of Applied Sciences (Turkey), ensemble learning methods were used to obtain the classification of the 7 cherry cultivars used. During this study, a new dataset comprising 3570 images was generated.

In evidenza

California cherry growers are assessing the damage caused by the storm

Production

05 May 2026

In Fresno County, California, this week’s storm affected cherry and almond orchards, forcing growers to act quickly. Helicopters were used to dry cherry trees, while hail, wind and fungal disease risks are raising concern over crop quality and harvests this spring.

World Fresh is introducing five new varieties of Canadian cherries to the world

Varieties

05 May 2026

World Fresh Exports is introducing the new Canadian Sansia and Safirah dark sweet cherry series to global markets, bred by AAFC in Summerland and designed to extend the season with premium size, flavour, firmness, consistency and strong shipping performance.

Tag Popolari