Chile: Record food exports in the first half of the year
Food exports from Chile reached historic levels between January and June 2025, reaching a total of US$12.46 billion, a 9.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to figures from ProChile's Market Intelligence Department, based on data from the National Customs Service, shipments of a variety of fruits, both dehydrated and dried, as well as seafood and meat, increased between January and June.
“It is very positive that, despite a complex trade scenario in global markets today, Chilean food is achieving export records”, said ProChile Director General Ignacio Fernández .
"This is the result of a public-private partnership to position ourselves globally as a provider of healthy, safe, and sustainable food, while also seeking market diversification", he added.
Between January and June, shipments of salmon —the Chilean food product with the highest export value - grew 4.5% to US$3.29 billion, thanks to an increase in shipments to the United States, Brazil, and Europe.
Shipments of horse mackerel ( US$294 million in the period, 28.4% more than in the same months of 2024), mussels (US$207 million, 28.7%) and cuttlefish (US$212 million, almost triple the same period of the previous year) also increased.
Meanwhile, the export value of fresh cherries reached a record US$2.243 billion, 14.4% more than in the first half of 2024; grapes increased 10.9% to US$325 million; and kiwis increased 11.6% to US$155 million.
Meanwhile, poultry meat shipments grew 22% to US$253 million; walnut shipments increased 53.6% to US$145 million; and hazelnut exports more than doubled, reaching US$144 million.
The United States remained the main destination for Chilean food in the first half of the year, receiving shipments worth US$2.896 billion, 4.1% more than the same period last year. However, China followed closely behind, posting a 5.2% increase to US$2.793 billion. Combined, the two countries accounted for nearly 46% of total shipments for the period.
In Asia, in addition to China, food shipments grew in the first half of the year to Japan (US$844 million in the period, a 4.5% increase), South Korea (US$325 million, a 14.8% increase), and India (US$73 million, 19.7% more than last year).
Shipments to countries in the ASEAN bloc, in the southeast of that continent, also increased by 32.2% to US$289 million. In September of this year, ProChile will hold its first Chile-ASEAN Trade Meeting, which will include business meetings between companies from those countries and their Chilean counterparts, including those in the agrifood sector, to stimulate exports.
Likewise, shipments to Europe (US$2.045 billion in food exports between January and June, 22.7% more than the same period last year), South America (US$1.506 billion, a 5% increase), and Africa (US$283 million, a 32.7% increase) increased.
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