February 18 2008, 08:45

Chile focusing on blueberries and Hass avocados

Chile exports fruit and vegetables to 70 countries around the world. In the 2006/2007 season, fruit exports reached $2.47 billion, or roughly a quarter of all global food exports. In addition to grapes (Chile is the world's leading producer) and other traditional products like apples, plums and kiwis, Chilean producers exhibiting at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA are focusing on promoting two products: blueberries and Hass avocados. Some European consumers are slightly perplexed by this variety of avocado, with its blackish, wrinkled skin. But the creamy interior of the fruit, with its large amounts of unsaturated fats, goes perfectly with everything from hotdogs, to sushi and even ice cream. Exports rose from nearly 90,000 tonnes in the 2003/2004 growing season to 165,000 tonnes in 2006/2007 out of a total production of 220,000 tonnes. The leading buyer remains the USA, but the European market share has grown from 4 to 26% in four years to its current level of 42,000 tonnes. "Of course our producers use FRUIT LOGISTICA to meet their customers. But it's also an excellent opportunity to familiarise companies, who don't yet export, with European market structures", says Birgit Uthmann, an economic consultant for the ProChile export promotion association.