Chile steps up blueberry pest controls in Biobío and Ñuble

Chile’s blueberry industry is working to improve the Systems Approach programme in the Biobío and Ñuble regions, where more growers are becoming eligible to use the export protocol.

The Blueberry Committee of Frutas de Chile organised two technical meetings focused on managing Lobesia botrana, commonly known as the European grapevine moth. The pest is subject to quarantine controls and can affect market access for Chilean fruit.

The meetings took place in Los Ángeles on 14 July and Chillán on 15 July. Almost 200 blueberry growers, exporters and agricultural specialists participated.

Training expands as more farms join

The sessions explained the sanitary and regulatory requirements that farms and exporters must follow under the Systems Approach.

Topics included pest traps, field inspections, active monitoring and coordination between growers, exporters and government authorities.

Julia Pinto, technical manager of the Frutas de Chile Blueberry Committee, said continued training is particularly important for growers who have only recently entered the programme.

A significant share of the blueberry-producing area in Ñuble and Biobío can now qualify for the protocol, making it necessary for new participants to clearly understand its requirements.

Representatives from Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service, known as SAG, took part in the meetings alongside specialists from Biofuturo, the Blueberry Committee and other industry organisations.

Stronger monitoring supports market access

Paola Fierro, regional export officer at SAG, said the programme encourages farms to pay closer attention to pest prevention and helps protect the country’s plant health status.

Measures such as trapping and regular field inspections allow the sector to detect possible pest problems earlier and strengthen control across the production area.

Andrés Vergara of CoreExport said the meetings also help growers and exporters work together when addressing quarantine requirements in international markets.

Chile’s blueberry sector expects that stronger technical controls and closer cooperation between public authorities and private companies will help maintain the competitiveness of fresh blueberry exports.

source and photo: frutasdechile.cl