Chile shipped more than 14,000 metric tons of organic fresh fruit in 2008-09, a number that is expected to grow, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report on the country’s organic product industry and internal market.

Apples dominated exports, making up 50% of organic fresh fruit shipments, the report said. Blueberries (24.5%), kiwi (11.7%) and avocados (5.4%) followed. Europe was the main market, taking in 55% of shipments. A total of 14,587 MT were shipped in 2008-09.

The value of Chile’s organic product market totaled US $35 million, of which US $32.6 million was export-related.  More than 2,000 farmers and 100 companies in 2009 were involved in the organic industry, according to statistics from the National Statistics Institute and export promoter ProChile quoted in the report.

Chile’s agriculture and livestock service, SAG, reports that 175,760 hectares were certified organic in 2008, the report said.

Chile does not export organic milk and dairy, meat or cereals, making it an attractive import market for other countries. Demand for organic products is growing at 20% annually, the report said.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com