New Export Record Volume for Chilean Cherries as Logistics Improve

Published 2023년 4월 14일

The Chilean cherry 2022/23 season has wrapped up with exports exceeding 400 thousand mt as it reaches a new record volume. Chilean cherry exports have increased in volume by 17% YoY reaching 415.3 thousand mt, with the leading market destinations including China, the US, and South Korea. Chile’s cherry exports have sustained accelerated growth in recent years, mainly driven by increasing demand from China. However, for the 2022/23 season, the increased volume was driven by a 40% YoY increase in exports to the US, a notable improvement in global logistics from last year’s season, and the release of COVID-19 restrictions in China that has allowed consumption to resume.

According to the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), Chile exported 415.3 thousand mt of fresh cherries in the 2022/23 season, representing a 17% YoY increase. The yearly increase represents a new record volume for fresh Chilean cherries exports. China still remains by far the largest export market with 371.5 thousand mt of shipped volume, accounting for 89% of the global export share and 97% of all Asian exports. Chile’s cherry exports have grown exponentially since 2017 when the shipped volumes were only 81 thousand mt. The increasing demand in China for fresh cherries has catapulted Chilean cherries as one of the main fresh fruit export products.

For the 2022/23 season, which ended on March-23, the US imported 18.8 thousand mt of fresh Chilean cherries for a substantial 40% YoY increase. With the latest increase, the US is now the second-largest market for Chilean cherries increasing over the last two years at a fast pace. In the 2019/21 season, the US imported only 7 thousand, and by the end of the previous 2021/22 season, the volume jumped to 13.8 thousand mt. The apparent increase in the North American market attests to the cherry Chilean industry strategy to diversify sales in other high consuming markets other than Asia.

Source: ITC, Tridge

While the US had the most significant 40% YoY growth in volume, exports to China increased by 16% to 371.5 thousand mt. South Korea has also become one of the leading exporting markets for fresh Chilean cherries. However, shipments to Korea decreased this season by 5% to 6.5 thousand mt and have been surpassed by the US as the second-largest import market of Chilean cherries. Latin America also took almost 40% more cherries than in 2021/22 at 9 thousand mt, while Taiwan registered an increase of 7% to 6.4 thousand mt.

A very important factor for the positive results of the 2022/23 season was the substantial improvement in logistics this year compared to the previous year, when port congestions, container shortages, inspections, and quarantine protocols hampered shipments. According to ASOEX, there were more Cherry Express vessels bound for China, while US-bound cherries were carried on the Blueberry Express from the port of Coronel to the port of Gloucester.

This last season also saw the first Cherry Express disembark at the Dalian port in northeast China. In the weeks before to Chinese New Year, a total of 30 ships carrying cherries left Chilean ports for China. This greater diversification of ports of entry and exit prevented bottlenecks that characterized the previous campaigns during peak shipment weeks.

Furthermore, the relaxation of the COVID-Zero restrictions in China allowed consumers to leave their homes more freely and helped demand resume faster. As a result, besides consolidating its presence in the Chinese market, the Chilean cherry sector has expanded and diversified its exports to other Asian countries, with exports to emerging markets such as Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam doubling this season.

The EU is the fourth most profitable destination for Chilean cherries, with 4.6 thousand mt shipped. However, for the 2022/23 season, exports to Europe decreased by 26% YoY. The decline in European markets is explained by logistical problems, especially in the main ports for our cherries, such as England and Holland, which saw decreases of 27% and 45%, respectively. In addition, the inflation that has hit Europe has been significant, affecting the consumption of imported fresh products such as our cherries.

The Chilean cherry 2022/23 campaign has exceeded the goals set for each market. The first one would be to deepen the product’s presence and knowledge in the main markets such as China, the US, and Korea. The second one would be for Chilean cherry exports to gradually increase their presence and diversify exports in other emerging buying markets, such as the Middle East and other Asian countries.