Chile’s Teno inspection centre handles record 14.4 million produce boxes

A record 14,446,257 boxes of fruit and vegetables passed through Chile’s Teno SAG/USDA phytosanitary inspection centre during the 2025/26 season, up from more than 12 million boxes the previous year, Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) reported. Most were destined for the US.

The centre processed more than 11,000 lots. Oranges led with 2,834,899 boxes, followed by apples with 2,450,048, mandarins with 2,195,875 and cherries with 2,059,809. Plums, nectarines and kiwifruit were also inspected.

The site jointly handles export certification by SAG and inspectors from the US Department of Agriculture. Around 185 exporters used its services during the season, which ended as the new 2026/27 programme began in September.

Teno also operates real-time PCR diagnostic technology to identify quarantine-relevant species, allowing phytosanitary testing to be carried out as part of the export certification process.

source and photo: sag.gob.cl