Latin America has been Chile’s third-largest fruit trading partner since 2021-22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Europe’s dethronement can be attributed to Chile’s efforts to diversify within the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Frutas de Chile General Manager Michel Canala-Echeverr\u00eda, fruit exports to Latin America in 2021-22 increased by 23% and reached a total of 535,995 tons. Latin American fruit exports make up 20% of the country’s exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Latin America has maintained its position during the 2023-24 fruit export season, with 439,283 tons of fruit reaching the region. Fifty-five percent of all fruit exports are apples, followed by table grapes, pears, kiwis, dried plums, and nectarines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peaches, avocados and cherries make up only 2% of the overall Chilean fruit exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thirty percent of the country’s fruit is shipped to Brazil, 18% to Colombia, and 13% to Ecuador, followed by Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canala-Echeverr\u00eda highlighted Brazil’s importance in the Chilean fruit market, saying the country is why they’re aggressively \u00abpromoting fruits like kiwi, cherries, and Pink Lady apples.\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than 131,000 tons of Chilean fruit have been exported to Brazil. Fifty-eight percent of the shipments are apples, 14% are dried plums, and 11% are kiwi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colombia is also a significant market for Chilean-grown apples, which account for 71% of fresh fruit exports to the country, followed by pears at 17% and table grapes at 6%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canala-Echeverr\u00eda says they are currently working to increase exports to Mexico since its trading relationship has recently experienced a decrease. \u00abWe’re looking to find a solution for some phytosanitary issues so that we can recuperate the momentum.\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added they’re currently working to implement the Systems Approach<\/a> for both kiwis and table grapes and both sea and air shipping for cherries and other Chilean fruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n