Full programme fails to materialise Chilean global fruit exports are not predicted to improve dramatically by the end of the season following the shortfall revealed in the most recent July figures. A similar pattern is also expected to emerge later when other southern hemisphere producers reveal their figures. According to Ronald Bown, president of the Chilean Exporters Association at that time, shipments of mainly deciduous fruit were 13% lighter year on year compared to 1999, reaching 1,260 million tonnes despite a 9% increase in the major US market. European arrivals were 28% lighter. The cause was mainly linked to apples being hit by climatic problems. Overall red varieties were down by 36% with this figure showing an even larger 42% deficit in European terms. The sole exceptions were Red Chief and Pink Lady. Gala fell for the first time by a quarter. Green varieties fell 4% in European terms. Grapes and kiwifruit did better than expected but stone fruit was also badly affected. Strong prices marked the start of the nectarine season but these tailed off in a year when total shipments reached 5.6 million cartons, a 22% drop compared with the 1999 crop. Europe accounted for 724,000 tonnes. Shipments of peaches which are traditionally lighter only saw exports fall by some 8% with Europe accounting for 3.5% of sales. However of all the stone fruit crops, plums experienced the biggest decrease globally only just reaching some seven million cartons, a 38% reduction. However growers say the CFA should have benefited from higher prices. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}

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