Chile forecasts 12 percent increase in stone fruit exports this 2025–26 season
December 30 , 2025
The Chilean Stone Fruit Committee has unveiled its second forecast for the 2025–26 season, painting an optimistic picture for the months ahead. Based on record participation from 46 companies, representing 88 percent of last season’s export volume, the trade organization projects exports at 42.9 million boxes.
This is a 12 percent increase over last season and a six percent uptick from the initial forecast.
Ignacio Caballero, Executive Director of the Chilean Stone Fruit Committee, said favorable weather conditions are driving this growth by increasing volumes and improving fruit quality.
The stars of the season
Nectarines and Japanese plums have emerged as the season's standout performers, showing the highest growth among all categories.
Caballero said nectarine output is expected to reach 16.3 million 17.6-lb boxes, a seven percent increase over the first estimate and 12 percent higher than the previous season. This growth is mainly driven by white-fleshed varieties, which are expected to increase by 23 percent compared to the previous campaign.
For Japanese plums, the organization projects exports to rise by 10 percent from the first projection and 14 percent compared to last season.
"Notably, red plums stand out in this increase, growing 17 percent year over year," he said. "Output is projected to be 17.2 million 15.4-lb boxes."
The forecast for European plums is 6 million standardized 19.8-lb boxes, three percent lower than the first estimate but 11 percent higher than last season.
Peach exports are projected at 3.4 million standardized 17.6-lb boxes. The number remains steady relative to the first projection, but it's eight percent higher than in the 2024–25 season.
Chilean stone fruit markets
The Executive Director noted that Asia is becoming the most important strategic market for Chilean stone fruit.
“For white-fleshed nectarines alone, the Asian market will absorb close to 7.1 million boxes, while shipments of Japanese plums are estimated at 6.8 million boxes, representing 24 percent growth for this species on that continent,” he said.
In North America, shipments of Japanese plums are projected to increase by 60 percent over last season, reaching 5.8 million boxes.
Asia is expected to reach 20.6 million boxes, up 14 percent from the first estimate and 10 percent above last season.
North America is projected at 10.4 million boxes, a slight two percent decrease from the first estimate but 49 percent higher than last season.
Latin America is forecast at 4.8 million boxes, a one percent increase from the first projection but a 15 percent decrease from last season.
Europe is expected to reach 3.7 million boxes, unchanged from the first estimate and 2 percent lower than last season.
Caballero said that "these figures strengthen the stone fruit industry's strategic autonomy and its capacity for diversification, aiming to consolidate Chile as a leading supplier of high-quality fruit in times of intense global competition.”
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