Chilean kiwifruit exports this year through April were significantly down year-on-year, with volumes only slightly above half of last 2017's level.

Photo: Pixabay

The South American country exported 16,100 metric tons (MT) - 46% down on last year's 30,100MT, according to Odepa data.

The volume, however, is higher than in 2016, when 12,400MT of exports were recorded over the period.

Shipments to all the top-ten markets fell except for the Netherlands, which saw a 13% rise to 1,500MT. 

Exports to the country's leading market, the U.S., fell by 33% to 4,400MT, while to China they fell 66% to 2,200MT and to Russia they dropped 74% to 628MT.

In the U.S.,FOB prices during week 20 averaged US$15.10 for a 9-kilogram box, according to USDA data.

This figure is 19% lower than when the opening prices were recorded during the second week of April, but higher than the same week over the last three years when prices were typically between US$12.30-13.70.

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