Agronometrics in Charts: Low California and Chilean kiwifruit supplies lead to high prices

This week we will take a look at prices and volumes of kiwifruit in the U.S. market. During the end of last year and the first few months of 2021, the average shipping point prices have been far higher than in previous years.

This is likely due to lower supplies in the market, principally from California and Chile, the latter of which saw a drop in production stemming from the lack of labor availability during the Covid-19 pandemic. The increased demand for products high in Vitamin C could also be behind the price rise.

The average price in April reached US$25.04 per 9kg (19.8lb) container, which is 60 percent higher year-on-year.

The decrease in volumes has been equally significant, as can be seen below.

In April 2021, supplies in the U.S. market were down by 31 percent year-on-year 5.5 million kilograms.

In April 2021, volumes from Chile in the U.S. were a whole 69 percent lower year-on-year at 766,584 kilograms.

Meanwhile, in the same month volumes from California were down by 68 percent, at 294,840 kilograms.

Written by: Cristian Crespo F.
Original published in FreshFruitPortal.com on May 25, 2021 (Link)