Chile's cherry exports fell 27.3% in the 2012-13 season from the previous year, the Association of Chilean Fruit Exporters (ASOEX) reported.

The volume drop, down to 51.9 million tons (MT), came as a result of poor climatic conditions for spring pollination and fruit development. Winter also brought fewer cold hours, causing inconsistent sprouting.

During blooming, rains and low temperatures hurt fruit setting. Overall weather and climatic conditions caused a late harvest and low volume, reflected by weekly output beginning in week 43.

All import markets reported a fall in volume received. Asia took in 70.2% of exports, 16.7 percentage points below 2011-12. The U.S received 48.4% less than the previous season, at around 8,000 MT.

Europe imported 48.9% less at 3,000 MT, with the lowest participation in the last nine seasons. Latin American maintained 8% participation but total volume fell 30.1% to about 4,000 MT.

All cherry producing regions in the country reported a drop in exported volume. The main exporting region, Region VI (O'Higgins), sent out 22,700 MT for a 25.4% drop. The next highest exporting region, Region VII (Maule), sent out 22,000 MT for a 26.1% drop.

Self fertile varieties did the best with a 2.6% increase in Lapin output and an 18% increase in Santina output. The Sweetheart variety fell 43.3%. Bing fell 34.4% but continued to lead shipments with a 66% share.

84% of shipments went out by sea. Air shipments accounted for 16% of volume. Many shipments did not arrive in good  conditions, resulting in repackaging and unrecorded losses.

168 businesses exported for the season, compared to 206 the previous season.

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