[Press Release] Chilean Blueberry Committee Revises Export Estimate for 2023/24

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The Chilean Blueberry Committee, together with iQonsulting, has revised its estimate for fresh blueberry exports from Chile in the 2023/24 season, with the new forecast standing at 76,500 metric tons. The revised figure represents a decrease of 7% compared with the first estimate made in October and a decline of 13% compared with the export volume recorded last season.

According to Andrés Armstrong, executive director of the Chilean Blueberry Committee, “This re-estimation takes into consideration the effect of the rains at the beginning of November, as well as other associated climatic events such as frost and hail. In addition, this second estimate also includes the impact of the rains on Nov. 9–11.”

Regarding the dynamics of outputs, Armstrong pointed out that both weekly exports and the state of phenological progress of the country’s main varieties are within the parameters of other seasons. “A pattern similar to the average of recent seasons is shown, which would generate a first volume peak, of more than 5,000 metric tons, in week 49. Meanwhile, the period of highest volumes, with up to 8,000 metric tons per week, should occur between week 51 of 2023 and week 3 of 2024,” he observed.

Armstrong also reported that shipments of fresh blueberries have so far shown a growth of 18% compared with last season, adding that “the incursion of new varieties and the strong exclusion of non-recommended varieties mark our exports during this campaign.”

With respect to the nature of the shipments, Armstrong commented, “Air shipments have dominated exports to date with 1,422 metric tons and a growth of 170% compared with the same period of last season. Meanwhile, maritime shipments have begun to increase little by little as the volume of fruit also increases, totaling 495 metric tons to date, which is 56% less than what had been shipped by this route in the same period of last season.”

Image: Chilean Fruit Exporters Association