iQonsulting has made the “Cherry Yearbook 2021 – 2022” available to the industry. This publication is free to download and its objective is to provide updated information on exports and prices obtained in the various markets. The publication is sponsored by Asoex through the Chilean Cherry Committee and Fedefruta, in addition to a significant number of sponsors.
Cherry exports experienced a season of sweet and sour this 2021-22 period. Although domestic shipments again generated a record of departures with a total of 356,385 tons, these were only 1% higher than last season. At the beginning, the high prices of the first arrivals to China were surprising, higher than those of the previous 4 seasons, but, during the highest cherry arrivals since the end of December, the horizon became adverse due to problems in export logistics, generating delays mainly in unloading and customs clearance at Chinese ports. This meant losses in the quality and condition of the cherries that could not enter before the Chinese New Year (CNY) and greatly impacted the development of the Post Chinese New Year market and therefore, late cherry producers, once again, for the third consecutive year.
Chile remains the leader in the Southern Hemisphere, with a share of 95.71 TP3T in cherry shipments. Argentina is in second place with a share of 2.21 TP3T, reaching a total of 8,173 tons in this year, which represents a positive variation of 1.21 TP3T compared to the previous season.
Asia continues to occupy the first place with a share of fruit shipments of 92.51 TP3T. In second place is North America, with a share of 3.91 TP3T. Europe and Latin America only receive 1.81 TP3T. These enormous differences in market shares demonstrate the urgent need to diversify the destinations to which Chilean cherries arrive, since the concentration of shipment volumes to China generates a high-risk scenario, due to the fact that any change in the conditions agreed between both countries or in phytosanitary requirements can generate a negative impact on the business.
Lapins, Santina and Regina are the main varieties produced and exported, representing 781 TP3T of the Chilean supply between them. This season, a 91 TP3T decrease in the share of Lapins shipments was observed, and an increase in the share for the Santina and Regina varieties, representing 241 TP3T and 191 TP3T respectively. The adverse situation presented this season in relation to the increase in travel times will undoubtedly generate lessons and challenges in varietal replacement, which are expected to be oriented towards early varieties, allowing the export window to be extended. It should be noted that the Regina variety suffered the most from logistical delays this season, a condition that generated loss of quality and organoleptic characteristics of this type of cherry.
Despite all the complications that have arisen this season, the cherry business remains the most important for national fruit growing, with an estimated FOB value of 1.9 billion dollars. There are currently approximately 62,000 hectares spread across the national territory, with production concentrated in regions XI and XII, which together represent 831 TP3T of the harvests. The increase in export costs has affected the various fresh fruit businesses in the country across the board, however, the high margins on cherries have made it possible to overcome the obstacles presented.
