Technical teams from producing and exporting companies are currently evaluating the damage that the heavy rains caused to fruit crops. The teams have concentrated their efforts in the regions where it rained the most, i.e. O'Higgins, Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío. The government declared a state of emergency for the agricultural and horticultural sectors in those areas.
"So far we have received information about some plots that have been flooded due to the overflowing of rivers and canals. However, we'll have to wait for the water to go down before we can assess any possible damage. Fortunately, this event should have no impact on shipments, as the 2022-2023 fruit export season is practically over. The most important thing now is to ensure the safety of people, including those who work in the sector, because we know of workers who have had to evacuate their homes," stated Iván Marambio, president of the president of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile, ASOEX.
"Climate change is a reality that is affecting the country, its agricultural sector and and industry. And I'm not just talking about this exceptional rainfall, but also about the prolonged drought and heat waves that are causing horticulture to move south of the country. Today more than ever we must redouble our efforts to adapt to these changes. Cooperation between the private and public sectors is crucial to achieve this. The Ministry of Agriculture can count on ASOEX to help with the coordination needed to deal with this emergency."
Source: simfruit.cl