Cherries market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean cherry market began its expansion in 2018, fueled by a concerted public-private strategy to open new export markets, particularly in China, through tariff and phytosanitary agreements. This effort, coupled with a steady increase in planted orchard area, doubled export volumes that year and supported a rise in domestic market volume to 49.4 thousand tons in 2019. The market experienced a temporary contraction to 44.0 thousand tons in 2020.

Growth accelerated from 2021 onward, driven by the cumulative effect of years of orchard expansion and the pivotal end of China's zero-COVID restrictions in late 2022, which unleashed pent-up demand. Improved logistics, the use of disease-free rootstocks, and a focus on larger fruit calibers for the Chinese market enabled record production. Consequently, the domestic market volume surged from 55.9 thousand tons in 2021 to 70.3 thousand tons in 2022 and then to 106.1 thousand tons in 2023.

Industry dynamics for the subsequent period highlight continued investment in new plantings and technology to boost output. However, the market's heavy dependence on China, which absorbed 88-91% of exports, introduced significant risks of oversupply and price volatility, underscoring the ongoing challenge of balancing growth with market diversification and quality discipline.

Production cherries in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Chile ranked 4th globally in cherry production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of cherries, 2018-2021

World map of production of cherries, 2018-2021

Chile's cherry production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 392.3 thousand tons of cherries, which is 42.0% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 71.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Chile's cherry output was valued at 1 963 million US dollars, marking a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 40.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 969 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 4.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 40.7%.

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

Exports cherries from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

Chile's cherry exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 336.4 thousand tons, showing a dramatic rise of 44.8% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 81.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China was the primary destination for Chile's cherry exports in volume, accounting for 89.4% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

In 2021, Chile exported 1 683 million US dollars worth of cherries, which is 6.3% more than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value increased by 48.5%, with an annualized rate of 14.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 1.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 42.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Chile's cherry exports were largely oriented towards China, whose share in total export value reached 90.3%.

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

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

Imports cherries to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 40 000-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Chile imported approximately 0.0 thousand tons of cherries, which is 100.0% less than the previous year.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Turkey and Belgium played central roles in Chile's cherry imports by volume, together accounting for 67.7% of total flows.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2018 and hit a trough in 2019, with a 1 357-fold gap. In 2021, Chile's cherry import volume totaled 0.1 million US dollars, constituting a sharp fall of 99.9% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, two main sources—Turkey and Belgium—together accounted for 70.1% of total cherry import value to Chile.

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

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