Chilean fresh fruit exports reach record US$8,198.8 million in 2025/26 season

Chile's 2025/26 fresh fruit export season closed with shipments worth US$8,198.8 million FOB, an increase of US$519.6 million, or 6.8%, over the previous cycle, according to the season balance released by industry association Frutas de Chile and reported by portalfruticola.com and portalagrochile.cl. Volume reached 3,021,216 tonnes in the period running from September 2025 to August 2026.

It was the second consecutive season in which Chilean fresh fruit shipments exceeded 3 million tonnes. “Despite an international context marked by greater uncertainty and changing conditions across the different markets, we highlight that fruit growing continues to consolidate itself as the second economic engine after copper,” said Frutas de Chile president Iván Marambio.

Cherries hold the value lead, avocados grow fastest

Cherries remained the highest-value Chilean export fruit at US$2,797.4 million, ahead of table grapes at US$917.5 million, even though cherry value fell 2.2% and grape value dropped 7.1%. Pears declined 2.4%. In volume terms, cherries and apples each accounted for close to 19% of total shipments, followed by table grapes with 16%.

The association described the season as one of broadly based growth, with setbacks confined to specific species. The strongest value gains were:

• avocados, up 22.4%
• kiwifruit, up 15.8%
• plums, up 11.7%
• blueberries, up 8.1%
• apples, essentially flat at 0.4%

United States takes 30% of volume despite the 12.5% tariff

The United States remained the leading destination for Chilean fruit, absorbing 30% of exported volume, or 894,618 tonnes, 4% more than in the previous season. Marambio said the increase was recorded both in fruit exempt from the 12.5% tariff and in fruit subject to the duty. Among exempt products, kiwifruit shipments rose 49% and oranges 22%. Among tariffed products, mandarins advanced 41%, lemons 31% and apples 20%.

Asian volume falls while India advances

Asia was the second destination market with 29% of exported volume, but regional volume fell by close to 10%, a decline both outlets attributed to lower shipments of table grapes, nectarines and cherries. China concentrated 77% of shipments to the region. India reached a 9% share after growing 36%, becoming the second-largest Asian destination, with the advance led by apples, up 73%, and cherries, up 2%.

Marambio tied further expansion to a possible Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Chile and India. “Concluding the CEPA will give a tremendous push to Chilean fresh fruit exports, which have already shown strong growth over these last two years, and in this way continue to generate economic returns and employment for the country,” he said.

Latin America and Europe grow, Middle East falls 13%

Latin America consolidated as the third market with 21% of volume and growth of 5%, driven by higher shipments of cherries, up 51%, nectarines, up 36%, and kiwifruit, up 12%. Within the region, Colombia concentrated 20% of shipments and grew 10%, while Mexico stood out with a 41% increase.

Europe received 17% of total exported volume, 4% more than the previous season, supported by avocados, up 39%, blueberries, up 20%, and kiwifruit, up 17%. The Middle East closed the season with a 13% decline in a scenario marked by geopolitical tensions.