Chilean cherry production is forecast to reach 727,000 MT in the 2026/27 marketing year, up 16% from the prior season, with exports projected at 667,000 MT. This follows a rough 2025/26 season when exports declined roughly 9% to around 569,000 MT. Planted area is also projected to expand, setting up the sector for sustained growth.
Chile is the dominant supplier of fresh cherries to North America during the winter months, and a rebound of this magnitude will significantly boost availability heading into the December–February import window. After a down year, buyers should have more room to build promotional programs around Chilean cherries.
That said, the U.S.-Chile tariff negotiations currently underway add a layer of uncertainty to pricing and access. Worth monitoring how those trade talks resolve before locking in long-term contract commitments for the season.