Commercial Advances that Marked the Fruit Industry in 2024

Trade agreements and access to new markets are fundamental pillars for the fruit industry, as they allow exporting countries to diversify their export baskets.

In 2024, one of the most significant achievements was the implementation of the Systems Approach for Chilean table grapes. This protocol, which replaces methyl bromide fumigation with mitigation measures at the source, benefits fruit produced in the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo, and part of Valparaíso. This change improves the quality and condition of the grapes, enhancing their competitiveness in the U.S. market, the primary destination for Chilean fruit, accounting for nearly half of table grape exports. Chile’s Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, highlighted its importance, as table grapes are the second-largest fruit export after cherries, with sales exceeding one billion dollars.

On the commercial front, Chile also saw a 42% increase in exports to Brazil, underscoring the growth of fruit exports to Latin America. Peru followed a similar strategy, expanding citrus shipments to Brazil and reactivating table grape exports to Ecuador after nearly a decade of suspension.

Ecuador and Brazil also benefited from important agreements. Ecuador celebrated the reactivation of pineapple exports to Peru, while Brazilian producers increased apple exports to Peru. Meanwhile, Colombia began exporting avocados to Chile, and Argentina resumed exporting lemons and sweet citrus to Ecuador.

Furthermore, South America experienced significant progress in accessing new markets. Among the products that gained access to new destinations in 2024 were grapes to Ecuador, various types of lemons, and fresh Hydrangea flowers to Brazil, as well as blueberries and avocados to Colombia. In Asia, Peruvian products gained access to China, Malaysia, and Vietnam, with grapes, pecans, walnuts, frozen fruits, and mandarins exported to China.

In the Oceania market, citrus exports to New Zealand were realized, marking an important step for the fruit export industry.

In the United States, to strengthen its position, Frutas de Chile launched its brand, consolidating the participation of the different committees within the institution. Chile is also exploring the possibility of exporting Andean papaya, expanding its fruit offerings in this market. On the other hand, Colombia is preparing to begin exporting passion fruits to the United States, while Argentina advanced with the export of blueberries with quarantine treatment, marking a significant step in improving its labor conditions.

Asia remains a key destination for fruit-exporting countries. Brazil, for example, managed to export table grapes to China after an official visit by President Xi Jinping, and also gained access for its avocados in Japan. Chile signed an agreement to export plums directly to Chinese supermarkets, while Chilean citrus fruits ran a campaign in Japan to strengthen their presence in this market.

Peru also stood out for its efforts to expand its mango markets, especially in Japan and the Middle East, and for securing better conditions for avocado exports to Australia and expanding into Russia. Ecuador, for its part, excelled with pitahaya and blueberry exports to China.

As 2025 approaches, challenges persist for fruit-producing countries, such as conquering new markets, improving phytosanitary conditions, and consolidating consumer preference worldwide. Ecuador, for example, hopes to gain access to the U.S. market for soursop, while Peru seeks to continue expanding its exports to China, solidifying its role in the international fruit trade.