Chilean Apple Production and Exports Remain Strong

Chile’s apple production and exports are forecast to remain stable in 2017/18 due to favorable weather and strong demand from consumers in foreign markets. The most recent United States’ Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) Fresh Deciduous Fruit Semi-Annual report forecasts harvested area in 2017/18 for Chilean apples at 33,600 hectares, a decrease of 200 hectares from 2016/17. The report also forecasts Chilean apple yields to hit an average level of approximately 36 tonnes per hectare, helped by advantageous temperatures and adequate rainfall.

Chilean apple exports are down 35.9 percent for this point in the season compared to the same period last year. However, this is due only to earlier harvests in 2016/17 which boosted exports at the beginning of the year, later decreasing after peak months. 2017/18 harvests are not expected to be early or behind schedule, and exports are forecast to reach 731,000 tonnes for the market year. The US is the top market for Chilean apples, as US consumers look to purchase apples while domestic products are not in-season. Chilean varieties such as Envy, Rosy Glow, and Ambrosia are popular among US consumers because the apples are known for better taste, color, and shelf-life. Gro Intelligence subscribers can analyze apple production and export data to stay current with market trends.