Fruit exporters project record in shipments of Chilean blueberries
Chilean exports of fresh blueberries will once again have a new record this season 2019-20. 115.000 tons are expected to be exported, an 4% more than the previous season, according to the Association of Fruit Exporters (Asoex).
According to the union, the increase in exports is based on new plantations registered in recent years, which have been carried out to renovate orchards, but also to increase surface area.
This new area, estimated at more than 4.000 has in the last 4 years, will fully express its productive potential in the coming years when they all reach full production.
In this season; However, the behavior of the climate will reduce the productive potential of the country, both due to the lower accumulation of cold hours that occurred in winter, as well as the number of frosts that have been occurring since the end of August.
In addition, exporters associated with the Blueberry Committee are stopping to export a significant number of varieties that historically have not exhibited good post-harvest behavior. Therefore, it is expected that production will be at 160.000 tons, with 115.000 tons of fresh export, 41.000 tons of frozen and 4.000 tons that will be mobilized locally.
The new plantation records show a net increase of 2.500 ha, reaching the 18.374 ha of blueberries in Chile. In recent years, the crop showed signs of stabilization and it was thought that the large number of plants sold, mostly of new varieties, was to renovate orchards only, however, there is a net surface growth that will boost exports again , especially for the renewal of better quality and more productive varieties.
Of this increase, 92% is concentrated in the Maule regions; Ñuble and Bio Bio, which will strengthen its position in the market.
Another element that will catapult exports this season, according to Asoex, is due to the lower winter cold and days of high temperatures in August, which caused “awakening” in advance to blueberries, so an average advance of 1 is currently recorded week in the development of the fruits with respect to a normal season.
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