The Chilean Cherry Committee, an entity associated with the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), expects total exports of fresh cherries from Chile to reach 100,000 ton this year. As the second largest export market for Chile, North America anticipates a 45 percent increase in volume over 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 ton, but after the freeze, this dropped to 68,000 ton. With Chile on track to export at least 100,000 ton during the 2014/15 season, this is a significant step for the industry,” said 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.”
Chile is the largest cherry exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, and the second largest exporter of cherries in the world. Fresh cherries from Chile are available in December and January, with export peaks expected from weeks 49 to 51.
The Chilean Cherry Committee was formed under the auspices of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), which is based in Santiago, Chile. The Chilean Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) is its North American counterpart that directs all marketing and promotional activities for fresh Chilean fruit in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more about cherries and other fruits from Chile at fruitsfromchile.com.
