Chilean cherries look to the US market amid higher supplies
Lee esta noticia en Español. | Writing and reporting by Macarena Bravo.
The United States is emerging as a more significant destination for Chilean cherries this season. Exporters are shipping sharply higher volumes and deepening retail programs to diversify away from China, which still receives about 90 percent of the Andean country's supplies, according to industry sources.
Shipments to the US have climbed to about 4 million boxes this season, up nearly 53 percent compared to last year, quality control firm Decofrut President Manuel José Alcaíno tells FreshFruitPortal.com. He describes the US as a key outlet for balancing global supply amid slower growth in Asia.
“Many of these agreements are made under contracts with predefined prices and volumes, which provide greater stability for the exporter and, at the same time, security for the retailer,” Alcaíno says.
Retail programs anchor US growth for Chilean cherries
Exporters have built growth in the US market on contracted retail programs that emphasize quality, logistics, and consistency. Retailers have set standards covering fruit selection, packaging, traceability, and destination handling, including reconditioning when needed, Alcaíno explains. He says these measures have helped ensure fruit arrives in good condition and support confidence among US buyers.
The Chilean cherry season aligns with a strategic winter period in the US, when domestic production is unavailable. Unlike blueberries or grapes, which overlap between hemispheres, cherries only have a marketing window of about three months, making them a seasonal item for retailers.
The executive adds that American consumers already know the product, allowing the market to absorb higher volumes without extensive education.
“Chilean cherries need no explanation to US consumers: they are a well-known and valued product, which gives us a significant advantage over other markets where greater promotion is still required,” he stressed.
He adds that category pricing has remained generally stable through retail programs, although spot prices have softened slightly as supply has increased.
Shipments up sharply, demand steady
Isidora Ramírez, market manager at grower co-op Copefrut, also reports strong growth for Chilean cherries in the US market.
“To date, shipments to the North American market show a 73 percent increase compared to last season, and projections point to closing the cycle with a total volume 40 percent higher than last year,” she says.
The expert explains that early harvest timing and arrivals supported demand, noting that Copefrut relies on promotional campaigns led by Chilean fruit guild Frutas de Chile to support in-store and wholesale visibility across the US.
Looking ahead, Ramírez says digital marketing represents the next area of development, citing the role of e-commerce and social platforms in expanding cherry consumption in Asia.
“Just as was done in China, where consumption exploded through digitalization, we must aim for that concept,” she adds.
Size matters for US buyers
Ramírez highlights consistent quality and low variability between shipments as key differentiators for Chilean cherries.
“American consumers are accustomed to eating freshly harvested cherries in their local season and today prefer large sizes. There is no longer a market for size L: everything is concentrated from jumbo upwards,” she says.
Given the impact of tariffs and weaker profitability last season, Ramírez says the company remains cautious.
“Our priority is to fulfill our programs with our customers and continue to strengthen the partnerships we have built in recent years,” she states.
Industry participants say the combination of higher volumes, contracted retail programs, and steady demand positions the US as a more strategic market for Chilean cherries, both as a volume outlet and as part of a broader effort to diversify export destinations.
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