Chile's Cherry Industry Faces Crisis in Jan-25 Due to Oversupply and Price Drop

Chile's cherry industry, which expanded to 70.5 thousand hectares (ha) and generated over USD 3 billion in exports last season, now struggles with an oversupply and heavy reliance on China, which accounts for 88% of shipments. This market concentration has led to a 50% year-on-year (YoY) price drop compared to the previous season. In the Ñuble region, where 3 thousand ha produce exports worth USD 32.3 million, small growers have been hit the hardest. To mitigate the crisis, industry experts recommend diversifying export markets, improving fruit quality, and optimizing costs and agronomic practices.