A recent report from a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unit has forecast a return to normal levels for Chilean stonefruit production this coming season, after frosts cut peach and nectarine production by close to 40% in September last year.

A Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report has released a rough estimate of 141,020 metric tons (MT) for the two fruits in 2014-15, which is just 6.6% lower than the amount grown in 2012-13.

"Total planted area of peaches and nectarines continue to decrease when compared with previous years as some old orchards are not replaced," the report said, adding the total surface area would be down by about 50 hectares this year.

"But total production does not show a corresponding significant reduction as many farmers update their older orchards with new, more productive varieties.

"As new varieties develop, most producers have been replacing old, less acceptable varieties, especially nectarines. As peaches have a shorter shelf life and are less attractive to consumers, area planted to this fruit has decreased proportionally more during the last few years."

The report highlights that around half of Chile's peach and nectarine exports are exported to the United States, 23% are shipped to Latin America, and 15% are delivered to Europe.

In contrast, the production area dedicated to cherries continues to increase in the South American country, with the report forecasting surface area for the fruit will rise 9% to 19,500 hectares in 2014-15.

Production is set to increase even more by 29%, hitting 111,000MT.

"Close to 40 percent of the total planted area is still not in production or is in the incremental stage of production. As a result, cherry production is expected to increase significantly during the next few years if we have favorable weather conditions," the report said.

"Cherries are one of the few fruits that producers are increasing their planted area significantly in spite of the continued fall of the dollar value against the peso.

"This is hurting the fresh fruit industry in general by increasing production costs, which are in pesos, and diminishing returns which are in dollars. Producers have expanded the production period by introducing more weather resistant varieties and planting these
further into the colder regions of southern Chile."

The report mentioned the varieties Bing, Sweet Heart and Santina made up around 88% of cherry exports, while new varieties planted included Lapins, Van, Stella and Summit.

The authors also pointed to sensitive issues relating to the crop in recent years, as well as some of Chile's benefits compared to its competitors.

"Although Chile has great potential for cherry production, every year the total output is affected by both climatic factors and/or the extreme delicacy of the fruit. A pre-harvest rain or other adverse weather conditions can damage the delicate skin of the fruit," the report said.

"These factors make the fruit production very expensive, as it requires extreme care and specialized labor. The harvest can only be done by hand; there is no mechanization.

"Chile has great potential because it is one of the few countries that can produce off season in the southern hemisphere for the large number of northern hemisphere."

The report mentioned that while the competing industry in South Africa had cheap labor, temperatures were too high. Elsewhere, it pointed to New Zealand's lack of sufficient suitable land for the crop and Australia's water problems.

"Chile produces 2 percent of total world production but it meets almost 80 percent of the northern hemisphere’s off-season demand."

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