Chile Ships Record Cherries but Prices Drop 22%

Chile shipped 113.8 million boxes of cherries during the 2025/26 season, slightly above the 110-million-box forecast, according to a preliminary report from the Cherry Committee of Frutas de Chile released Thursday. China remained the dominant buyer, receiving 98.9 million boxes — 87% of total shipments — though that share fell from 92% the previous season in what the industry describes as a deliberate diversification push.

The numbers look strong on paper, but the economics tell a different story. Between October and December 2025, export volumes surged about 37% year-on-year, while average FOB prices per kilo dropped roughly 22%, according to Chile’s agricultural statistics office ODEPA and customs data.

Too much fruit, too early

Weather conditions pushed the harvest forward by about ten days, concentrating a large volume of fruit in the season’s opening weeks. Compounding the problem, Chinese Lunar New Year fell on February 17 this year — later than usual — stretching the marketing window from mid-October through mid-February and diluting the holiday-driven price spike that Chilean exporters rely on.

Some producers stored fruit longer than advisable, hoping to capture better prices closer to the holiday. Quality suffered as a result, damaging the Chilean cherry brand in an increasingly demanding Chinese market already dealing with weaker consumer spending.

A maturing market

The logistics behind Chilean cherry exports have transformed. The “Cherry Express” direct shipping route to China, operating since 2018, has cut transit times to 23 days. This season saw 32 direct sailings — double the previous year — reducing dependence on expensive air freight and allowing bulk deliveries that lowered costs but also flooded the market.

Cherry orchards have nearly doubled in area since 2019, from about 38,400 hectares to over 70,600 in 2024, overtaking table grapes as Chile‘s most widely planted fruit. The crop now generates some 200,000 jobs and ranks alongside copper and salmon among the country’s top exports.

Industry leaders acknowledge the season was challenging but reject the idea of a crisis. The business is entering a more mature phase where margins will narrow and quality standards will tighten. Those who adapt will lead the next stage — those who don’t will be priced out. This is part of The Rio Times’ daily coverage of Chile affairs and Latin American financial news.