The United States excluded a series of agricultural products from its tariff policy that it estimated do not compete with local production, which would include fresh and dried fruits produced and exported by Chile. The measure is already in effect.
“The United States government reported the implementation of significant modifications to its tariff policy, affecting hundreds of subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS),” reported Frutas de Chile.
“The changes are detailed in an annex that, on one hand, incorporates new countervailing duties through a new heading, and on the other, establishes an extensive list of exclusions and potential exemptions for certain products, with a special focus on goods from strategic partners,” it added.
The president of Frutas de Chile, Iván Marambio, valued the measure but emphasized that it is still important to make progress with other products, especially fruits, that face a 10% tariff. “Tariffs are not good for anyone, we have stated this from the very beginning. Today, this is evident given that American consumers are suffering from the increased cost of their food, which has driven this rethinking of tariffs on certain products that are widely consumed in the American market,” he noted.
“This tariff readjustment leads us to state, once again, that in the case of Chile, fruit products do not compete with local fruit, but rather complement it and thereby help to complete the basket of food necessary for a healthy diet for the population in the United States,” he added.
In the same vein, Carlos Cruzat, president of the Kiwi Committee, stated that “Chilean kiwis returned to their zero tariff as of Friday, November 14, the benefits will be seen starting next season. This is in line with what the United States Government had been working on in terms of identifying some products that could return to their original tariffs, considering all origins.”
“Europe already had on file the elimination of tariffs for kiwis and avocados, since they are products that the United States does not produce in sufficient quantity to give stability to its domestic market, and therefore, their presence in the market supports the development made by local producers, while contributing to the healthy diet of the population,” he added.
Regarding the North American country’s market, Cruzat observed that “after decades of showing rather little variation in kiwi consumption, it has recently been growing in its sales both in traditional retail and online, with kiwi being one of the fastest-growing categories in online commerce.”
Likewise, he pointed out that the more consistent arrival of European supply (Italy and Greece mainly) allows for complementarity with the supply from California. “Thus, in the last five years, the volume of kiwi marketed has grown by 50% thanks to imports, since California only supplies 25% of the current supply.
Therefore, implementing the return to the previous tariff position will be very positive for the Chilean kiwi sector and also for American producers and marketers,” pointed out the professional.
From the Chilean Avocado Committee, its president Francisco Contardo stated that “the elimination of the 10% tariff on avocados imported from Chile to the United States allows us to maintain the competitiveness of our fruit in that market. More than opening new opportunities, what it does is avoid a disadvantage that would have made our supply more expensive compared to other origins.”
“For us, the United States is a relevant market, so this decision is good news. Now the challenge remains the same: to send fruit of excellent quality, rigorously comply with logistical services and standards, and continue with the committed commercial programs. Only in this way can we fully take advantage of the current tariff conditions,” he expanded.
United States Market
It is worth noting that the United States population is a major consumer of avocados. According to the “Avocado Yearbook” by IQonsulting, during 2024, North America held about 34% of the share of the Hass avocado market in the world.
The per capita consumption of avocado in the United States has reached approximately 4 kilos per person per year, a key indicator of the fruit’s entrenchment in the national diet.Globally, the avocado market has skyrocketed, moving around20 billion dollars in 2024 and projecting sustained growth. It was valued at 15.7 billion dollars in 2025.
In the case of kiwi in the United States, it is a market of constant growth, driven by increased health concerns and greater investment in domestic production and imports. The market value is expected to reach USD 752.6 million by 2033.
Although the United States produces kiwis (mainly in California), it consumes domestically over 80% (and exports about 20%), depending heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. The main supplier countries of kiwis to the United States areNew Zealand,Chile,ItalyandGreece.
In the case of oranges, various challenges such as the outbreak of Huanglongbing (HLB) disease and labor shortages have been affecting a decrease in domestic supply, which has generated a growing dependence on imports, where Chile is a major supplier in the counter-season. The United States positioned itself as the fourth largest importer of fresh oranges in the world in 2022, with a total value of 270 million dollars.
