The volume of Chile's total fresh fruit exports for the 2013-14 season slipped by 11.4% year-on-year, in line with estimates made by the country's Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) following frosts last September and port strikes earlier this year.

Exports reached 2,350,543 metric tons (MT), with the reduction equivalent to 36 million boxes.

Apples were the most heavily exported crop for the season at 34% of the total, ahead of grapes which had just under a third of all shipments and witnessed a 15% fall in volume.

Avocado exports almost doubled to take the third spot with 6% of the total, while shipments of pears, kiwifruit and blueberries dropped by 16%, 48.5% and 14.5% repspectively.

In terms of markets, the U.S., the Netherlands, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Russia registered reduced Chilean fruit imports year-on-year, but Colombia, Brazil, England and Ecuador all saw growth.

Despite the fall of 12.5% in imports, the U.S. remains Chile's biggest export market.

Table grapes were still the most heavily exported crop to the U.S. for the 2013-14 season at 317,444MT, followed by apples at 115,920MT.

Exports to the EU were also down 20.9% year-on-year.

Breaking the trend, shipments to Asia saw a slight increase of 1.8%, with a total of 406,672MT. The biggest growth was seen in India, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Table grapes, apples and cherries topped the Asia-bound exports.

Valparaiso in central Chile was the most used port for the season with 51% of total exports, followed by nearby San Antonio with 31%.

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