Chile's 2016-17 cherry season appears to have been characterized by a steep rise in volumes and an even steeper drop in returns, according to data from the country's Office of Agricultural Research and Policy (ODEPA). 

By the end of February, total exports were 17% higher year-on-year at 94,698 metric tons (MT), but total FOB returns were 28% down at US$444 million.

The drop is returns is due to the significantly lower unit price, which was US$4.70 per kilo on average - 38% lower year-on-year.

In terms of destinations, exports recovered to all of the country's top 10 destinations expect the U.K. and the Netherlands, which saw declines of 2% and 20% respectively.

The vast majority of exports were sent to China, which received 13% more fruit than last season with around 74,300MT. Shipments to the U.S. also rose 10% to around 6,300MT.

Among the countries that received the strongest year-on-year increases were South Korea, which received 1,361MT against just 24MT last year, along with Hong Kong (+54%; 3000MT), Taiwan (+42%; 2,200MT),  and Ecuador (+62%; 836MT).

Exports up until the end of February last season were 81,118MT, while the figure stood at 102,293MT in 2014-15 and 64,062MT in 2013-14. 

The average per-kilo FOB returns for those three past seasons have been US$7.60, US$5.90, and US$7.70 respectively.

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