While holiday promotions might have consumers thinking about winter, growers and exporters in the Southern Hemisphere are gearing up for summer fruit season.
Cherries and blueberries lead off the season, followed by plums, nectarines, peaches and grapes.
Chile exported its first sweet cherries of the season — about 380 cartons — in mid-October, said Karen Brux, managing director of the Redwood City, Calif.-based Chilean Fresh Fruit Association. Cherries account for about 27% of Chile’s fresh fruit exports, which makes the country the world’s largest cherry exporter, according to Brux.
While the majority of the exported cherries will ship to China, the U.S. is Chile’s second-largest market.
“I don’t think any country in the Southern Hemisphere exports the range of summer fruits available from Chile,” Brux said. “With our counter-seasonal supply, we enable consumers to enjoy their favorite summer fruits in the winter.”
Juan Gonzalez Pita, chief operating officer at Salix Fruits, a Philadelphia-based importer and exporter of fresh fruits, said what helps bolster Chile’s exports is its proximity to the U.S.
Mario Flores, director of blueberry product management for Naturipe, said he expects a good season.
“The season is shaping up well, with a promising blueberry crop forecast. We're expecting strong volumes, which will support us through the U.S. winter and carry us into February,” he said. “This year's crop is looking to be stronger than we've seen over the past few years. It’ll be a strong year of growth in our organic blueberry program.”
Flores said Chile’s diverse growing regions bolster the country’s ability to grow and export an extensive portfolio of fruit.
“From how the country is shaped, it benefits from multiple climates and microclimates,” he said. “This allows for the cultivation of a wide range of varieties, each thriving in its ideal conditions. As a result, Chile can produce high-quality summer fruit over an extended period, ensuring consistent supply throughout the winter months in the U.S.”
Crop estimates
Brux said the first Chilean blueberry estimate is about 135,501 tons, up about 3.2% over last season; 80,501 in fresh, down about 6.7% from last season; and 55,000 in frozen, up 22.2% over last season.
“The decrease of almost 7% in fresh blueberry exports reflects the varietal replacement taking place within the industry, which will allow us to deliver better fresh blueberries to the markets,” she said. “We expect the percentage of new varieties in this season’s shipments to increase by 26%, surpassing 16,000 tons.”
Flores said proprietary varieties from Naturipe are helping to fuel this growth.
“These varieties are firmer, bigger and sweeter,” he said. “These improved berries result in less waste, due to high-quality product, and ensure our berries can continue to be grown in a way that is safe for growers, consumers and the environment.”
Brux said the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association expects record cherry exports this year, with volumes increasing by 50%, to exceed 120 million boxes.
“Mother Nature has delivered favorable weather conditions, including sufficient chilling hours and little rain, and we’re expecting a great season,” Brux said.
She said retailers can expect ample cherry volumes from December through February, and the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association will partner with 30 retail chains this year to help promote Chilean cherries.
The first table grape estimates from the Chilean Table Grape Committee show a 2.4% increase in exports this season, or about 66,006,178 boxes. Brux said new varieties will make up about 65% of table grape exports — about 42,866,374 boxes.
“This is the second consecutive season the committee expects growth in table grape shipments,” she said. “A larger supply of new varieties is key for the Chilean table grape industry since consumers are looking for grapes that are flavorful, firm and crunchy.”
Gonzalez Pita said growers in the country have cut table grape production in half in the past 15 years, which impacts availability and then impacts future demand.
“Of course, everything that is lacking now will be short in the future, so returns will be good and people will grow them again, starting the never-ending story,” he said. “Now grape production has stabilized around 60-65 million [boxes], so that would mean better returns to the growers that will end up in new orchards with newer varieties.”
Brux said nearly 60% of Chilean table grapes are destined for the U.S., and she said this season will be the first time that table grapes will be shipped under the Systems Approach protocol.
“This will allow the shipment of table grapes from the Tarapacá, Coquimbo, and parts of Valparaíso regions without the need for fumigation,” Brux said.
Marketing
Flores said consumers continue to drive interest in organics.
“There is consistently strong demand for both organic and conventional blueberries during this time of year, with growing consumer demand for organic options,” he said. “Chile holds a strategic advantage in meeting this demand, as its growing conditions align well with the U.S. market’s need for organic fruit in January and February.”
He said retailers should empathize the seasonality of these Chilean blueberries to help drive sales.
“Retailers can highlight seasonality, freshness and emphasize the ‘limited time’ availability of Chilean summer fruit,” he said. “This can help boost visibility and drive strong sales throughout the winter season.”
Brux said the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association launched its Frutas de Chile brand this year at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show in Atlanta. Brux said the association has marketing funds to help retailers with the marketing and merchandising of Chilean fruit.
“There are substantial growth opportunities for this category, and we are greatly increasing our marketing investment in the U.S. in order to support retailers and build awareness/demand among consumers,” she said. “Cherry marketing support will be especially robust, and we are currently working on everything from bin and demo programs to targeted online advertising on retail websites.”