An oversupply of kiwifruit in key markets has led to lower prices than the previous season for Chilean exporters in the first half of the campaign, according to fruit market consultant Decofrut.

The organization said high volumes of Northern Hemisphere kiwifruit, mainly of Italian origin, in Europe and North America had created a very competitive market place. The situation is said to be similar in much of Latin American.

However, Decofrut said sales had been fluid in the Far East, where Chilean kiwifruit has been fetching higher prices than last year.

The current season began with a delay in harvesting across much of the industry, with lower early volumes than the previous season. The lower year-on-year volumes continued until late May.

Currently, the total amount of kiwifruit exported from the South American country is similar to the same period last year.

As of week 23, Chile had exported around 94,700 metric tons (MT), of which 40% had been shipped to Europe and Russia, 26% to the Far East, 16% to the U.S., 13% to Latin America, 4% to the Middle East and 1% to Canada.

While Europe is still the main destination, shipments to this market have dropped 21% year-on-year, while volumes sent to the Far East have risen 63%.

Decofrut said although quantities of Italian kiwifruit in key markets have been declining recently, this has largely been offset by increasing supplies of Chilean fruit.

Chile is expected to export 166,000MT of kiwifruit this season, marking a 9% year-on-year decline. Of the total volume, 96% corresponds to the Hayward variety.

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