Bad news comes out of the new Chilean cherry production season, early-maturing production areas may reduce production by 50%
Quick Look
- Although the cherry production season in the Coquimbo region of northern Chile is expected to set a record for the earliest harvest in history, due to climate and pests and diseases, the output is likely to drop by 50%.
- In addition, due to the fruit fly epidemic, some fruit farmers are unable to export to China and are actively exploring alternative markets such as South Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Coquimbo region in northern Chile is an ultra-early cherry production area. In recent years, climate change and pests and diseases have often affected production stability.
Last year's season saw the arrival of large quantities of Chilean cherries, which made many Taiwanese consumers happy to enjoy the "sweet prices". Now, the new season has just started, but bad news has come out of the ultra-early-maturing producing areas in northern Chile. Although this year is expected to set the earliest harvest record in history, the output may drop by 50%. Orchards are also facing risks of gray mold and fruit cracking, and the fruit fly epidemic has interfered with exports, adding variables to the new production season.
"Cherry Times" reported on the 2nd that the Coquimbo region in northern Chile is one of the local ultra-early cherry production areas. Consultant and fruit farmer Jorge Astudillo said that this year's cherry harvest is expected to start from October 10 to 15 at the earliest, which will become one of the earliest harvest times in local history.
However, behind the rush to market, there is a severe production cut. Astudillo estimates that local cherry production may decrease by 50% this year, falling below 1,000 tons; in comparison, the output in the 2025/26 season will be about 1,500 tons.
A similar situation occurred in 2023. Due to poor weather that year, the actual output was far lower than expected, and the production conditions of some orchards were even quite unstable. We may face similar challenges again this year.
In addition to reduced yields, this year's heavy rainfall has also caused rare pressure from Botrytis in local orchards. If rains follow, Nimba, Brooks and other varieties that are prone to fruit cracking may also face higher risks.
Lower production isn't all bad news, though. Due to the low load on fruit trees, coupled with the recent high temperatures during the day, sufficient sunshine, and cool nights, which are conducive to fruit growth and sugar accumulation, cherries may have larger and sweeter fruits this year.
Even more thorny is the export issue. Coquimbo's early-maturing cherries originally had the advantage of being exported first, but due to the fruit fly epidemic this year, many fruit farmers will not be able to export cherries to China, so they are actively looking for alternative markets.
Local fruit farmers have taken relevant measures, hoping to export cherries to South Korea, Japan and Vietnam to reduce their dependence on the Chinese market.
Open Questions
- Can the alternative market absorb the production originally scheduled to be exported to China?
- Will the final actual harvested yield be lower than estimated?
