Chile nears fruit fly eradication milestone in Malloa

Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture says the fruit fly eradication campaign in Malloa — an agricultural municipality in the O’Higgins Region known for fruit production — is days from completion, marking a key advance in the national fight against the pest.

Led by the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), the programme has reduced active outbreaks nationwide from 70 to 36 during the 2024–2025 period. In Malloa alone, more than CLP 2.2 billion (around US$2.3–2.4 million) has been invested. The operation includes a 7.2-kilometre quarantine zone protecting roughly 4,500 hectares of productive land and nearly 200 farmers. Once the remaining cases are officially closed, the number of active outbreaks nationwide is expected to fall to 35.

At country level, 34 outbreaks have already been eradicated, representing about half of all detections so far. Control measures include surveillance, trapping, laboratory analysis, field treatments and the release of sterile insects.

Support mechanisms are also in place. The Agricultural Catastrophic Insurance scheme has been activated in 18 outbreak zones this year, compensating growers for fruit destruction required within regulated areas.

Border controls remain a central pillar of prevention. Authorities have seized more than 358 tonnes of illegally imported agricultural products, while pest interceptions at official crossings have increased. Officials continue to urge the public not to bring in or purchase products of unknown or illegal origin, stressing that prevention is essential to keeping Chile free of fruit fly outbreaks.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: blueberriesconsulting.com