The Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile, ASOEX, decided to provide institutional support to the areas devastated by the forest fires that have affected Chile in recent weeks.
"We deeply regret the loss of human lives, homes, infrastructure, labor sources, and animals in the affected areas. We reiterate our willingness to collaborate with the authorities in their efforts to solve the problems that affect us as a country, as well as our willingness to contribute to the reconstruction of the affected areas, especially in terms of housing and schools," said the president of ASOEX, Ronald Bown Fernandez.
According to official information recently submitted by the Government of Chile, the fires affected more than 370,000 hectares between the regions of Coquimbo and La AraucanÃa. According to data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, 49% of the hectares affected by the fire would correspond to forest plantations, 24% to native forest, 24% to scrubland and grasslands, and only 2% to agricultural land.
ASOEX is currently evaluating the situation of producers and exporters located in the areas affected by the fires. "So far, we have reports that a fruit plant was destroyed in its entirety in the town of Chepica. A damage that is valued at 8 to 9 million dollars and the consequent loss of work for more than 100 workers. So far, no major damage has been reported in fruit orchards."
Export infrastructures, phytosanitary inspection locations, and ports are functioning normally. However, producers in VIII Region have indicated that they have had irrigation problems due to power outages and a lack of harvesters.