Apples, pears and quinces market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for apples, pears, and quinces in Chile experienced fluctuations from 2018 to 2022. Initial stability was followed by a rise to 1 079 thousand tonnes in 2020, as COVID‑19 pandemic disruptions to container availability and logistics slowed export shipments, increasing domestic supply. Subsequently, mounting production costs for fertilizers and labor, combined with ongoing international logistics challenges, contributed to a decline in volume to 972 thousand tonnes by 2022.

In 2023, the market volume jumped sharply to 1 385 thousand tonnes. This surge was primarily due to the temporary closure of the Peruvian market after phytosanitary detections, which drastically reduced overland fruit exports. With fewer tonnes shipped abroad, significantly more produce remained available within Chile.

Beyond 2023, regulatory and trade developments continued to shape the market. Chile's Extended Producer Responsibility Law imposed progressive recycling targets on packaging, while the reopening of the Peruvian market in 2024 restored a key overland export route for Chilean fruit.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Chile ranked as the world's ninth-largest producer of apples, pears, and quinces.

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2018-2021

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2018-2021

In 2021, Chile produced 1 793 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a moderate contraction of 3.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 8.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.8%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 5.6% decrease, while the highest increase was recorded in 2020 at 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Chile's production of apples, pears, and quinces saw an increase. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 737 million US dollars, reflecting a 2.2% rise year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 699 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of apples, pears, and quinces from Chile declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 771.5 thousand tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 15.1%, with a CAGR of -5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Chile traded apples, pears, and quinces with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—Colombia, the United States, and Ecuador—collectively accounted for only 28.6% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, exports of apples, pears, and quinces from Chile increased. In 2021, exports reached 747.3 million US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 5.1% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 13.7%, with a CAGR of -4.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 711.4 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Data for 2018–2021 indicate that Chile's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Colombia (11.4% of exports), the United States (10.8%), and the Netherlands (8.2%) together accounted for only 30.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

Chile's import volume of apples, pears, and quinces increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 3.9 thousand tonnes, representing a modest 8.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 29.2%, with a CAGR of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States played a leading role in Chile's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume terms, accounting for 72.8% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed across other partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Chile's imports of apples, pears, and quinces stood at 6.8 million US dollars, up by 25.0% relative to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 33%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, the partner structure for imports in value terms was centered on the United States, which held a share of 77.7% of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021