Frozen cherries are gaining ground as a strategic alternative for the Chilean cherry industry. Between 2024 and 2025, the country's exports recorded a 95% increase in volume, opening up new opportunities to add value to fruit that is not destined for the fresh market.
Highlighting this trend is Gonzalo Bachelet, Vice President of Chilealimentos and CEO of Vitafoods, who discussed the topic in a report published by Revista del Campo, the agricultural magazine of the newspaper El Mercurio.
The strong growth in exports shows how frozen cherries could play an increasingly important role within the Chilean cherry industry. This outlet makes it possible to use a share of the fruit that cannot be placed on the fresh market, providing an additional commercial opportunity.
According to Bachelet, the 95% increase recorded between 2024 and 2025 can be attributed, at least in part, to temporary factors. Nevertheless, the outlook for the sector remains positive, with further room for growth.
According to the Vice President of Chilealimentos, Chile has a significant opportunity to expand its frozen cherry business, particularly in light of the investments currently being made in the sector.
The development of this channel could enable the industry to diversify production destinations while increasing the share of fruit capable of generating value beyond the traditional fresh market.
The growth of the frozen segment therefore points to a potential evolution in the management of Chilean cherry production. While temporary factors have contributed to the increase observed in the latest period, the segment represents a concrete opportunity to broaden the range of uses for the harvest.
With new investments and greater commercial diversification, Chilean frozen cherries could take on a more significant role in the supply chain, turning part of the production not destined for the fresh market into a new market opportunity.
Source: chilealimentos.com
Image source: Chilealimentos
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