Chilean Stone Fruit Committee forecasts 15 percent increase in volume
The Chilean Stone Fruit Committee has released a new estimate for this season, including nectarines, Japanese plums, European plums and peaches. Forty-four companies, representing 84 percent of Chile’s global stone fruit exports last season, contributed to the estimate.
The stone fruit industry projects total overall exports of 35.33 million boxes, a 15 percent increase over last season. Estimates for specific categories are as follows:
Nectarines
- 11.5 million eight-kilogram boxes; 13 percent growth from last season.
- Strong growth in white-flesh nectarines; projected increase of 26 percent, representing 60 percent of total nectarine volume.
- Yellow-flesh nectarine volume expected to decline by 2 percent, reaching 40 percent of total nectarine volume.
Japanese Plums
- 13 million seven-kilogram equivalent boxes; 16 percent growth from last season.
- Red plums are expected to grow by 7 percent and black plums by 15 percent.
European Plums – Sugar Plums – D’Agen (exported primarily to Asia):
- 8 million nine-kilogram boxes; 23 percent growth from last season.
Peaches
- 2.8 million eight-kilogram boxes, a decrease of 1 percent compared to last season.
The Chilean Stone Fruit Committee just launched a retail-focused marketing campaign in the United States, working with retailers nationwide to drive sales of nectarines and plums. “There are significant opportunities for retailers to build winter stone fruit sales. We’re developing in-store radio ads, demo programs, digital coupons, online videos and other tactics to showcase nectarines and plums' great flavor and nutrition,” Karen Brux, North America managing director of Frutas de Chile said.
Promotions are ongoing and will continue into April.
