Chile's blueberry season has ended with record exports of 107,000 metric tons (MT), marking a 7% year-on-year increase and a continuation of the steady growth seen in recent campaigns. 

The value of exports rose 5% to US$548 million, placing it in between the last two seasons, according to Odepa data.

Average FOB prices fell by 2% year-on-year to US$5.04 per kilogram - lower at least the last four campaigns.

Export volumes were registered at 93,000MT in 2015-16, and 102,000MT in 2016-17, with export values of US$576 million and US$524 respectively.

Average FOB prices were US$6.17 and US$5.16 per kilogram during these seasons.

Exports to the U.S. - by far Chile's leading blueberry market - grew by 3% during the last season to 67,000MT, while to the Netherlands they rose 15% to 11,000MT.

Shipments to China rose by 12% to 9,000MT and to Canada they rose 18% to 3,000MT.

The U.K. was the only market in the top five to see a reduction, with exports falling by 13% to 10,000MT.

In this article, volumes have been rounded up or down to the nearest 1,000MT and prices to the nearest US$1 million.

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