The Chilean Cherry Committee, an entity associated with the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), anticipates total exports of fresh cherries from Chile to reach 100,000 tons this year.
As the second largest export market for Chile, North America anticipates a 45 percent increase in volume from the 2013-14 season.
This year’s strong harvest is great news for the Chilean cherry industry, which was hard hit in 2013 by a devastating freeze.
“The initial estimate for 2013-14 was 85,000 tons, but after the freeze, this dropped to 68,000 tons. With Chile on track to export at least 100,000 ton during the 2014-15 season, this is a significant step for the industry,” says Karen Brux, North America managing director for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.
“It’s also great news for North American restaurateurs who want to offer their customers menu specials that feature fresh cherries over the holiday season,” she says.
Chile is the largest cherry exporter in the Southern Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. Fresh cherries from Chile are available in December and January, with export peaks expected from weeks 49 to 51.
