The 2023 Chilean Kiwifruit Season Projects an Increase in Export Value

Fresh Kiwifruit

Published Mar 20, 2023

After a very disappointing 2022 season marked by shipment delays, the 2023 Chilean kiwi export season is expected to improve its outbound sales. Although a decrease in volume of 10 to 15% is projected, Chilean kiwifruit exports might still be able to increase in value. Driven by increasing demand in Europe, an affected harvest in New Zealand, and an early harvest with higher quality in Chile’s production, higher prices are forecasted throughout the season. Additionally, Chile’s ability to stay late in the European market will be key for a successful year, as the early European harvest has been reportedly threatened due to weather instability, which presents a unique opportunity for Chilean kiwifruit.

According to the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee, a 10 to 15% decrease in kiwifruit exported volume is expected for the 2023 season from the 135 thousand mt exported in 2022. The reduced volume is driven by lower yields in Chile as new planting orchards still do not bear fruits. The Committee has pointed out that despite the reduced volume this year, higher quality fruit with larger calibers are expected. In addition to the quality harvest, other important global factors might benefit kiwifruit exports this year. Better logistics conditions are expected by exporters to avoid delays and, more importantly, a strategic extension of the season to remain on the European market the latest as possible.

Chile, New Zealand, Italy, and Greece Kiwi Seasonality:

Source: Tridge

According to the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee, Chilean kiwi exporters expect to arrive on time this year in their main markets with large caliber sizes. If so, they will also be benefiting from an early harvest shortage of kiwis from New Zealand, as adverse weather conditions have severely affected the 2022/23 season. Kiwifruit has been one of the most affected products after experiencing one of the wettest summers in recent history, and volumes are forecasted to be between 10-15% down for the 2023 season. As a result, New Zealand kiwi supply is expected to arrive later this year in main importing markets such as the US and EU.

Another advantage that Chilean kiwi fruit might be able to present this season would be the ability to stay longer in the markets up to late October and early November. According to the Chilean Committee, one of the main reasons for the 2022 season decrease in value was that, in addition to the early season delays, Chilean kiwifruits weren’t able to stay in the market until the Northern Hemisphere early harvest started. As a result, Greece and Italy, the largest European producers, came with an early harvest into the market with higher prices that Chilean kiwis weren’t able to benefit from.

However, this season, the early Italian and Greek kiwi harvest has been reported to be under threat due to adverse weather. According to Tridge’s Origination Manager in Greece, weather instability during the first weeks of March Greece has disrupted the cross-pollination of early-bearing kiwi trees. “Many orchards in early areas were affected by warmer winter conditions that tricked plants and trees into entering an early or irregular blossoming phase.” He also added that “early fruit yield is always the most lucrative, giving the best prices to producers, and usually, the first incoming fruits dominate the rest of the season's market.”

Greece’s 2023 season is expected to end late with small caliber sizes and lesser quality, which has made Chilean exporters plan for a larger season without the need to arrive in early March, but to stay longer in the market. The general outlook for Chilean kiwis this season is that in comparison to last year, it will be easier to sell the fruit due to its high quality and the New Zealand harvest delay. Therefore, for Chilean exports to increase their value this season, the ability to maintain a constant supply of high quality until November will be key.