Chile’s grape exports remain stable despite drought

Chile’s table grape planted area in 2019/20 remained stable at 47,834 ha, as did production (835,000 tons) despite the country going through an 11-year drought period, which has intensified in MY2019/20. According to USDA estimates, Chile exports around 80% of all table grape production. Grape exports for the 2019/20 season are forecast to reach 657,000 tons, practically unchanged from 2018/19.

The United States is the main market for Chilean table grape exports, accounting for 63% of the total. In 2019/20, Chile’s table grape exports to the US reached 200,515 tons (data until March), up 3.5% over 2018/19. China is the second largest market for Chilean grapes. Exports up to March totalled 30,669 tons, up 5.2% over 2018/19. Exports to China are projected to continue to grow as Chilean fruit exporters focus ever greater proportions of their promotion funds and marketing efforts on reaching that lucrative market.