The Chilean table grape sector continues to eagerly wait for the US to approve the implementation of the Systems Approach for table grape exports, especially in the north of the country, which is in a position to opt for this system.
The president of ASOEX, Ivan Marambio, and the general manager of the entity, Miguel Canala-Echeverria, met with Doug McKalip, chief negotiator on agricultural issues of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Rufino Hurtado, the head of the USTR Agricultural Policies, and Ethan Holmes, the USTR senior advisor on Agricultural Policies -who were visiting the country-, and with authorities of the Subrei and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The meeting was also attended by the agricultural attaché of the United States Embassy in Chile, Bret Tate.
“We know how important the USTR is in US trade negotiations with other countries; thus, having met with its representatives during their visit to Chile was key to advancing on issues that are of interest to our sector, such as the Systems Approach for Chilean table grapes. In this regard, they told us that the process was developing normally and that we should expect that the deadlines for its promulgation will be met. This is what's missing to begin applying this system in our table grape shipments to the US market, which would improve the competitiveness of our grape shipments,” stated Ivan Marambio, president of ASOEX.
“The Systems Approach replaces the current fumigation requirement with the inspection of table grapes, since it involves compliance with a set of measures to avoid the risks of quarantine pests, both at the orchards and fruit plants. Eliminating this fumigation requirement will substantially improve the quality and condition of the fruit, which would allow us to deliver a better product to consumers,” stated Miguel Canala-Echeverria.
The United States is the main destination for Chile's fresh grapes. Until last week, Chile had shipped 217,286 tons of fresh grapes to this market, i.e. 57% of the total exported to date to all destinations. The volumes shipped have fallen when compared to previous seasons, but this decrease is mainly due to an arduous and deep work of varietal replacement. For example, at week 12, the new varieties accounted for 62% of all Chilean table grapes exports, a percentage that will increase with the elimination of the fumigation requirement.
For more information:
ASOEX
www.asoex.cl