Chile’s fruit exporters expect growth this season despite production delays and rising costs, newspaper El Mercurio de Valparaiso reported.

According to Valparaiso’s Logistics Support Extension Zone (ZEAL) the ‘real season’ will start in February with strong movement in March and April, the newspaper reported.

Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) President Ronald Bown told the newspaper that the total amount of fruit exported to date represents a 7.58% rise on the same period last year.

“It is estimated that it should follow its normal course and a moderate growth of less than 5% is expected,” Bown was quoted as saying.

Fruit union Fedefruta President Antonio Walker told the newspaper it was too early to for analysis of what will happen for the rest of the season, as export figures will depend on exchange rates, labour and water conditions.

ZEAL commercial director Cristián Solís said production costs during 2010 registered an increase between 20% and 25% due to lower labour levels, permanent droughts and unfavourable exchange rates.

Photo: Flickr, PJFurlong06

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com