No significant damage reported for the fruit industry in Chile due to rains

Chileans are worried about the heavy rains affecting several regions of the country. However, the general manager of Frutas de Chile, Miguel Canala-Echeverría, assures that the fruit industry is closely monitoring the situation and that, so far, no significant damage to fruit has been reported, as almost all the harvest has been completed.

 

Canala-Echeverría points out that Chile is currently in the apple, kiwi and citrus season. Most of these fruits are already harvested and stored in cold storage, such as kiwis and apples. For citrus, there could be some minor impact due to the suspension of harvesting activities to protect workers, especially in the Metropolitan and Coquimbo region. However, it is believed that any impact will be minimal. 

 

He added that the priority is the safety of workers and the prevention of landslides that could affect producers, especially in Coquimbo. This region has experienced landslides in the past that damaged table grape plantations and affected many families. 

 

Canala-Echeverría also mentioned that Coquimbo is facing a severe drought that affects both the availability of water for irrigation and food production as well as for human consumption.

 

Finally, the general manager stressed that the concern in the agricultural sector is focused on damages to small farmers and horticulturists, and that, given that almost all the fruit has been harvested, no significant impact on prices is expected.