How Chile is preparing to grow cherry exports by 20 percent

The new Chilean cherry season may expand by 20%, depending on meteorological conditions, logistics, and the continued diversification of domestic and foreign ports that handle Chilean fruit exports.

Future production growth will provide a number of difficulties. Due to some logistical issues we encountered in the previous two seasons, work was done with stakeholders, shipping firms, ports, and cargo operators to diversify the same ports and, in doing so, ensure that there are no bottlenecks leading to the destinations, according to Claudia Soler, executive director of the Cherry Committee of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) 

"It goes without saying that we will need to diversify the ports in Chile and overseas and make sure there are enough ships available to transfer cargo. With the volumes we have, port technology and research must keep pace. San Antonio and the Valparaiso port should both see more development, she continued.

The director referred to the association that brings together firms that export fresh fruit, emphasized China as the key market, and stated that Chilean port complexes "must go online" in order to boost cherry exports.

Soler stated that "the processes need to be as quick as possible" in this regard. With the expected increase in output, we will need to keep collaborating with the ports and other stakeholders. The cherry is not thought to be impacted.

Source: Produce Blue Book

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