Crop and Export Report 2020, Week 49

The regions of the central and south central zone are those that contribute with the highest harvest volumes at the moment and are already in full season of early varieties, with volumes that are on the rise. Meanwhile, the southern zone is starting with the first harvests in the Araucania Region, similar to the previous season. However, shipments from Chile continue to be a week behind the initial estimate, with 4,078 tons exported during week 48 and a total of 10,534 tons, 11% less than in the 2019/20 season at the same week. As mentioned in previous editions, this is due to less day degree accumulation, however, according to the temperature forecast for the next weeks, it is expected that this differential will recover given a projected increase in maximum temperatures throughout the central zone.

Despite the delay observed and seeing the weekly behavior of volumes, it is projected that as of this week (49) the shipments from Chile will begin with the peak weeks of exports, with volumes that will exceed the 5,000 tons per week line, which would be seen reflected in the next edition of this report.

Regarding organic blueberries, the shipment volumes continue to rise with 16% more fruit compared to the previous season and 3,260 tons exported until week 48. The first exports from the Ñuble and Bio Bio regions to the U.S market are observed, with the System Approach favoring fresh organic shipments from these regions to this market.