The Chilean Fruit Cherry Committee, which represents more than 85% of the volume of Chilean cherry exports sent to the world, released its second estimate for the 2023-2024 season, which includes adverse climate effects that this season has affected the sector.

Thus, the second forecast estimates total shipments for this fiscal year 2023-2024 at 81,477,564 million boxes (5 kilos each). A volume that is, at the same time, 14.6% lower than the Committee’s first estimate delivered last October, and slightly lower (-1.89%) than last season’s exports (2022-2023).

“It is important to make it clear that this season it has not been easy to estimate the volumes due to the effects of Climate Change, and the El Niño phenomenon, which has meant that the volumes vary week by week, for the same reason, it is an estimate in development as the season progresses and the effects of the latest rains, for example, are evaluated on the field,” said Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Fruit Cherry Committee.

Likewise, the professional added that the peak remains for week 51, that is, for the week of December 18 to 24.

“Today our efforts are concentrated on shipping the fruit with the quality and condition that the markets expect, and despite the drop in volumes we are confident that it will be a good season. We believe that the markets will respond well, since there are already signs of demand,” commented Soler.

Finally, the professional indicated that to date 5,249 tons of cherries have been sent to the world. 88% of this volume has been destined for China.