According to data from the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa) of the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile, the country's fruit exports between January and August 2020 fell by 7% in volume and 11% in value when compared to the same period of the previous year, totaling 2.62 million tons and 4.972 billion dollars FOB. Fresh fruit exports accounted for 76% of the total export value, processed fruit (juices, oils, canned, frozen, dehydrated) accounted for 17%, and dried fruits (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, among others) accounted for 7%.
During the first 8 months of the year, fresh fruit shipments totaled 2.13 million tons and 3.757 billion dollars FOB. Exports decreased by 7% in volume and 12% in value over the same period of 2019.
The main species exported in this segment was grapes, with 600,600 tons (-7%) and 986 million FOB dollars (-21%). The most important destinations for Chilean grapes were the United States and China, with 45% and 18% of the total value of grape shipments, respectively.
The grapes were followed by cherries, with exports of 145,000 tons (+ 6%) and 954 million FOB dollars (-7%). The main destination was China, which accounted for 94% of the shipments' value. Apples ranked third with 567 tons (-8%) and 493 million dollars FOB (-14%). By value, 12% of the shipments went to the United States, 9% to Saudi Arabia, 9% to Colombia, and 8% to the Netherlands.
Between January and August 2020, dried fruit exports totaled 80,500 tons and 360 million FOB dollars. This means exports decreased by 25% in volume and 20% in value over the same period of 2019.
Finally, processed fruits reached sales of 411,800 tons and 855 million FOB dollars during that period, which represents a 1% decrease in the export volume and value over the same period of the previous year.