Chile Nectarines: Strong Growth, China Exports Pressured(Sep 18)
Chilean Nectarine Expansion Strong, but Exports to China Under Short-Term Pressure
The latest USDA Chile Stone Fruit Annual Report reveals a clear divergence in Chile's peach and nectarine production and trade — nectarine planting continues to grow, while peach acreage shrinks year by year. Total production of peaches and nectarines for the 2026/27 season is projected at approximately 208,000 tons, a 4.9% increase from the previous season. China remains the top destination for Chilean peach and nectarine exports, but with significant annual fluctuations. Due to Chinese market demand volatility and Chile's own supply quality issues, Chile's export volume and value to China in the 2025/26 season fell 17.7% and 18.8% respectively compared to the previous season.
Production: Nectarine Expanding, Peaches Shrinking
The total planted area for peaches and nectarines in the 2026/27 season is projected at 9,536 hectares, with nectarine acreage growing 2.5% and peach acreage declining 3%. According to the 2025 fruit tree census by Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policy (ODEPA-CIREN), nectarine planted area is 7,778 hectares, accounting for 2.0% of the national total fruit planting area. Between 2020 and 2025, nectarine acreage grew at an average annual rate of 7.7%, continuing a long-term expansion trend. The 2025 nectarine planted area increased 14.7% compared to three years prior, reflecting growers' optimism about nectarine prospects. Peach (non-canning) planted area is only 1,557 hectares, down from 1,902 hectares in 2020, declining at an average annual rate of 3.9%. The main reason is that peaches' profitability and export prospects are inferior to nectarines and cherries, leading some orchards to be converted or eliminated.
For the 2026/27 season, total peach and nectarine production is expected to reach approximately 208,000 tons, up 4.9% from 198,107 tons in the previous season. This growth is primarily driven by expanded nectarine acreage and new orchards coming into production.
Trade: China Remains Top Market, but 2025/26 Sees Volume and Value Decline
In the 2025/26 season (November 2025 to May 2026), Chile's peach and nectarine export volume was approximately 137,000 tons, a slight 2.9% decline from 141,000 tons in the 2024/25 season. Reasons for the decline included: early spring high temperatures causing premature fruit ripening, increased harvest pressure, and some fruit quality not meeting export standards. Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, exports are expected to rebound to approximately 149,000 tons, a year-over-year increase of 8.6%, mainly benefiting from increased production and recovering overseas demand.
China remains the largest export market for Chilean peaches and nectarines, but with notable annual volatility. In the 2025/26 season, Chile's export volume to China was 46,883 tons, a sharp 17.7% decline from 56,978 tons in the previous season; export value also dropped from USD 74.4 million to USD 60.4 million, a decline of 18.8%. This was mainly affected by Chinese market demand volatility and Chile's own supply quality issues. Despite this, China still accounts for approximately one-third of Chile's total peach and nectarine exports.
