Crop and Export Report 2020, Week 47

The northern zone is already in the final third of its season. Until week 46, the accumulated volumes of regions IV and V add up 24% more than the previous season on the same date. Meanwhile, the central zone is picking up pace, already with the incorporation of the fields without protection, while the south-central zone is still focused on orchards under tunnels.

The weather this spring has been very favorable, without significant rains and therefore a very good quality of fruit, health and very even orchards in general is observed. However, recent temperatures have been moderate in the central and central-south zones and the day degree accumulation is lower than the previous season on the same date. Even so, the progress of the harvest is observed as a normal year and areas in general are being incorporated within expected times. However, the accumulated volume is lower than the previous season, which shown an early progress.

With the above, there were 1,043 tons exported in week 46 and an accumulated of 3,817 tons. With a 3% progress compared to the estimate and 8% less compared to the accumulated volume of the previous season in the same date. In week 46, the main destination markets were North America with 830 tons, the Far East with 186 tons and Europe with 25 tons.

Organic blueberries continue with a high level of participation, representing 54% of total shipments to date, coming mainly from the northern regions.

Finally, the shipments of Chilean frozen blueberries decreased to 2,866 tons during the month of October, compared to the 3,400 tons exported in September and the 3,500 tons of October 2019.