Chilean fruit exports dropped by 27% in October year-on-year to US$126m, according to ProChile.

The trade promotion agency said: "This drop comes amid a general downward trend in Chilean exports registered in October."

It added that October is typically a month when fruit exports typically transition between the winter and summer seasons.

Avocado exports fell by 12% in October to US$66m, while mandarin exports fell by 36% to US$25m. Meanwhile, apples saw a 53% drop to US$13.5m and blueberry exports declined by 11% to US$6.7m.

Fresh oranges were one of the few categories to see an increase, growing by 7% over the month to US$7.5m.

Fruit exports in the first week of November, however, were up by 2% year-on-year, driven by an increase in blueberries and cherries.

Cherries were up five-fold at US$900,000, up from just US$180,000 in the same week last year.

"Blueberries saw exports of US$2.7mm which marks a rise of 103% over the same week in 2018. Both fruits had an excellent start to the season," ProChile said.

Avocado exports in November were down 8% at US$10.2m, while apple exports were down 43% at US$2.6m.

Chile has been gripped by social unrest over recent weeks, which was sparked on Oct. 18. There have been widespread protests, along with transportation disruptions and port strikes. It is unclear what effect the unrest has had on Chilean fruit exports.