Triumph and challenges: Chile's contribution to the global cherry season in Decofrut's report

04 Mar 2024
1890

This season, weather conditions initially fuelled expectations of increased cherry exports, but the presence of El Niño affected flowering and fruit development. As a result, early varieties such as Royal Dawn and Santina were the hardest hit, while Lapins, Kordia and Regina showed greater resilience, exceeding last season's volumes.

Despite a slight 1% drop in shipments compared to the previous year, over 413,000 tonnes of cherries were shipped worldwide. The Far East was confirmed as the main destination, with China taking 97% of the total, followed by North America with 3%, Latin America with 2% and Europe with 1%.

The cherry season got off to an early start, but the harvest was initially delayed. However, as the season progressed, favourable weather conditions accelerated the harvest and consequently, exports. Fruits showed good quality parameters and condition, showing large calibre.

In China, the main market, demand remained robust throughout the season, with prices higher than the previous year. The best-selling varieties on the eve of the Chinese New Year were Lapins, Regina and Kordia, characterised by excellent quality and condition, as well as good availability. The high prices recorded during the Chinese festive season exceeded those of the 2022/23 season, indicating considerable consumer involvement.

To download the report with the data click here

Read the full article: Decofrut
Images: Decofrut


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Robots to help cherry growers in New Zealand

Tech management

10 Apr 2024

Burro units are fully electrified, allowing to greatly enhance sustainable footprint in operations, with estimated reduction in carbon emissions of up to 80,000kg’s of C02e annually, and 70% reduction in running costs per 40-hectares block of cherries.

Argentine cherries face global challenge with quality-driven strategy from Patagonia

Markets

24 Sep 2025

Patagonia’s Argentine cherry growers challenge Chile’s dominance with quality, air freight exports and new markets. Without trade deals and amid rising domestic costs, competitiveness remains fragile, yet differentiation seeks to highlight the strength of the Patagonia brand.

In evidenza

Operation Cherry 30%: the plan to reduce dependence on China

Markets

04 Jun 2026

Chile’s cherry sector must reduce its dependence on China and shift 30% of exports toward new markets. Agronomy, varieties, quality, packaging and commercial strategy are becoming decisive to protect value, competitiveness and the long-term future of the industry.

Functional plasticity and growth in sweet cherry and oak: the key role of site conditions in climate adaptation

Retail

04 Jun 2026

Study on sweet cherry and pedunculate oak in Austria and Croatia shows how growth, SLA and phenology depend on site, soil and local climate. Phenotypic plasticity and individual variation reveal key pathways for adaptation and resilience of European forests to climate change.

Tag Popolari