The Chilean cherry industry is gearing up for a new season, seeking to overcome the challenges of oversupply and difficult sales experienced last season. Sergio Rojas Espinoza, General Manager of La Consentida, projects this year's cherry production to reach approximately 150 million boxes, an increase of about 15 to 20 million boxes from the previous season.
To overcome the exceptional circumstances of last year, the industry has implemented various self-help measures. They have focused on discarding unproductive farms and intensifying pruning to ensure higher quality cherries and better sweetness. Some growers have started to remove trees of early-ripening varieties cultivated for the Chinese export market, which is expected to affect the volume of cherries headed for China. Nevertheless, the total production is estimated to be similar to or slightly higher than last season.
The biggest challenge this season is to avoid the over-saturation of the Chinese market, which is the largest destination for Chilean cherries. To this end, the Chilean cherry industry is working to open new markets and strengthen existing ones. General Manager Rojas stated, "China remains our top priority, but we need diversification. We currently export 8-12% of our volume to Europe, and this percentage could increase. Additionally, about 5% of the production will go to India, which is a very attractive market with its immense size and consumption potential."
However, entering new markets is not easy. In Europe, especially, profitability is lower than in Asia due to price competition with other countries, which necessitates a re-evaluation of commercial strategies. In the case of India, a relatively new market, exporters need time to gain experience and learn.
In terms of varieties, they continue to favor those resistant to pests and diseases and with good yields, such as Kordia. However, General Manager Rojas emphasized that the focus is less on varietal improvement and more on efficiently managing volume and diversifying supply destinations.
The initial forecast of an additional 30 to 40 million boxes has been slowed down by efforts to find a balance between quality and quantity and by farm renewal work. "Maintaining competitiveness and avoiding excessive dependence on a single market is key," Rojas stressed, indicating a cautious approach for the future of the Chilean cherry industry.
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