Agronometrics in Charts: What’s In Store for Chilean Cherries in the 2022-23 Season?

Chilean cherries account for over 95% of counter-seasonal supply of cherries from the Southern hemisphere, their primary destination being China. According to the USDA GAIN report published on August 15, 2022, producers of the fruit expect the upcoming season to be highly productive due to favorable climatic conditions during winter, with more rainfall in comparison to the previous season. Due to the projected increase in area planted and yields, estimates for cherry production are at 465,000 MT, a 19.2% increase over the previous season. Industry sources project the area planted to continue growing at this pace until 2030. In the 2021/22 season, cherry exports to the United States grew by 91.9%, clearly demonstrating the industry’s strategy to diversify its export markets and reduce its dependence on the Chinese market.

The dominant cherry varieties produced in Chile are Lapins, Santina, and Regina. According to Smartcherry’s latest Phenological Report, currently cherries in Chile are mainly in a state of flowering to fruit set, depending on the variety and production place, although in the southernmost areas they have just begun budding. In the earliest producing area of the country, the Coquimbo region, however, harvests are expected to start around week 42. Producers are constantly testing new varieties based on potential yields and projected prices. The national genetic improvement program (programa nacional de mejoramiento genético, PMG) for cherries, carried out by INIA with support from the Biofrutales consortium and the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) is paying special importance to scouting for cherry varieties that are competitive, visually attractive to the consumer, travel well, and can be cultivated in Chile’s center-north region, without the need for chilly winters, says Dr José Manuel Donoso, a geneticist on the INIA program.