Chile: Tree Nuts Annual
In MY2015/16 an increase in walnut exports was expected, but mid-April rainfall turned these expected volumes downward as they could not be achieved. As a result, final volumes will be similar to those of MY2014/15 at 75,000MT. In MY2016/17 100,000 MT of walnut exports are estimated, since the planted area is increasing, new orchards come into production and El Nino fades away. Although new almond varieties are being introduced, planted area has been stable and has not shown a big increase such as other tree-nuts like walnuts and hazelnuts. Almond exports in MY2016/17 are expected to remain flat at 7,000 MT. Almond Import volume from the U.S. is expected to remain at 2,000 MT in MY2015/16 and 2016/17.