Crop and Export Report 2019, Week 49
EDITORIAL
4,238 tons of fresh blueberries were exported in week 48, which contrasts with the 5,150 tons shipped in the same week of the previous season. 11,653 tons have been accumulated up to date which represents 10% more than the accumulated volume at the same date of last year.
The harvest volumes continue to increase and are currently focused on the central zone, which is at the peak of harvests. The central south zone is also strongly increasing the shipments, mainly from the Maule Region where the early varieties has reached its peak and in the Ñuble and BioBio regions that are facing a concentration of the early varieties crops (Duke). Therefore, for this week 49, the shipments should be around 7,000 tons, starting with the peak of exports period of Chile.
Regarding the weather, during week 48 a frost was registered and affected some areas of the Ñuble and BioBio regions, with focused damage and little impact on the total exports.
Finally, the organic blueberries show 3,025 tons exported to date, 82% more than the previous year. The main destination is North America, with 97% of shipments.
CHILEAN BLUEBERRY EXPORTS, BY WEEK AND ACCUMULATED UP TO WEEK 49, IN TONS
| Week | From | To | Weekly Shipments | Accumulated | 2019/20 Export Progress |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 Season |
Actual 2019/20 |
2018/19 Season |
Actual 2019/20 |
||||||||
| Total | U.S./ Canada |
Europe | Far East |
Other | |||||||
| 39 | 23-Sep | 29-Sep | 45 | 88 | 64 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 112 | 201 | 0.2% |
| 40 | 30-Sep | 6-Oct | 67 | 172 | 126 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 179 | 373 | 0.3% |
| 41 | 7-Oct | 13-Oct | 108 | 344 | 291 | 1 | 51 | 0 | 286 | 717 | 0.6% |
| 42 | 14-Oct | 20-Oct | 184 | 323 | 244 | 4 | 74 | 1 | 471 | 1.040 | 0.9% |
| 43 | 21-Oct | 27-Oct | 307 | 258 | 150 | 0 | 106 | 1 | 778 | 1.298 | 1.1% |
| 44 | 28-Oct | 3-Nov | 479 | 386 | 224 | 33 | 129 | 0 | 1.257 | 1.684 | 1.5% |
| 45 | 4-Nov | 10-Nov | 606 | 976 | 760 | 67 | 148 | 1 | 1.863 | 2.660 | 2.3% |
| 46 | 11-Nov | 17-Nov | 1.285 | 1.727 | 1.095 | 249 | 380 | 3 | 3.148 | 4.387 | 3.8% |
| 47 | 18-Nov | 24-Nov | 2.316 | 3.028 | 1.883 | 706 | 426 | 13 | 5.464 | 7.415 | 6.4% |
| 48 | 25-Nov | 1-Dec | 5.150 | 4.238 | 2.567 | 1.063 | 599 | 9 | 10.614 | 11.653 | 10.1% |
| Season total | 10.614 | 11.653 | 7.485 | 2.126 | 2.014 | 28 | |||||
North Zone:
Harvest volumes are declining in the Coquimbo and Valparaíso regions, with Jewel being the most important variety at this stage of the season.
Central-North Zone:
The OHiggins region is entering into the peak of harvest in varieties such as Duke and ONeal. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Region is passing the peak, however volumes are low. Main varieties are Jewel and ONeil.
Central-South Zone:
The Maule region continues to increase its harvest volumes, the early varieties are at the peak or passing the peak depending on the area, while the mid-season ones are beginning. In Ñuble and BioBio, Duke is at peak of volume. Overall, the harvest of early varieties started a few days earlier than a normal year and have been more concentrated. Mid-season varieties would start in line with previous seasons.
On the other hand, there was a frost on week 48, which had a slight impact on the area, affecting a few orchards.
South Zone:
The harvest is starting in the Araucanía Region with varieties such as Jewel, Star and Duke. The beginning of the season is observed in line with a normal year.