Positive Forecasts for the 2021/22 Chilean Plum Season

Chilean fresh fruit exports are said to increase in the 2021/2022 season, led by export increases in avocados, grapes, and plums. Chile is the largest plum exporter globally, holding over 30% of the market. The supply season of Chilean plums starts in February and continues until mid-April, with the peak season around March 20th. The primary plum varieties harvested in Chile are the Japanese variety and the D'Agen variety. Exports of the Japanese plum variety are primarily fresh, while just a reduced amount of the D'Agen plum variety is exported fresh to China and other Asian and Arab countries. In the past six years, exports of D'Agen variety plums increased in exports, and forecasts indicate D'Agen plum exports will reach 50K tons this year.

The harvest area for plums in Chile stands at 17.1K hectares but the area is forecast to be reduced in the following seasons since producers are transitioning into the production of Chilean products in higher demand like cherry. Despite the decrease in the production area and the challenges Chilean producers face due to unfavorable weather, logistics, and labor shortage, the export of Chilean plums is expected to rise this season. In the 2020/21 season, Chile reported 121.35K tons of plums, while forecasts indicate this 2021/22 season, exports will reach 139K tons, representing a 14.54% increase and achieving a record export level.

Source: Fruit Exporters Association of Chile (ASOEX), IQonsulting S.A.

Forecasts indicate that the average price of Chilean plums in 2022 will stand at USD 1.11 per kilogram. Demand for Chilean plums is forecast to increase because of their high quality. Chilean processing facilities filter out plums that do not fill quality expectations and use them in dried plum production.

Over the past year, the quality of plums in Chile improved as producers had to adhere to new processes to export to the United States. About a fourth of fresh Chilean plum exports are sent to the United States, with the US being the second-largest export destination, and over 99% of plum imports to the United States coming from Chile. In March 2021, the USDA found the European Grapevine Moth in Chilean plums and implemented import restrictions. Since January 2022, the USDA authorized the entry of Chilean plums to the United States under the System Approach. This approach requires Chile to irradiate its production within the United States or locally. After an intensive program with multilateral work, Chile achieved the quality standard required for plum imports and obtained a fast track for shipments. Plums will be harvested using more sustainable practices, which will increase quality.

Producers had projected exports to the United States would decrease this year, so they opened new markets in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Exports to the United States will remain high this season, and exports to countries like China and Brazil are set to increase.