In mid-October, the Chilean cherry harvest was damaged by heavy rains, which affected cherry producing areas like Curic and the Metropolitan Region. A couple of days ago, the same areas again reported heavy rainfall accompanied by gale-force winds and low temperatures.
Producers in the area say that this will cause further damage to the crop, although the actual extent is still unknown. Industry sources stated that the rainfall of Tuesday and Wednesday could reduce the volume intended for export by up to 48%. "It is estimated that there were about 2.5 million boxes to be harvested before the rain and, with this, about two million will be lost," affirmed the representatives.
It is worth noting that the October rains may have resulted in a loss of 30% of the harvest in the Seventh Region and of approximately 20% in the Sixth Region and the Metropolitan Area. The problem would primarily affect the early varieties, such as the Royal Dawn, the Brooks and, to a lower extent, the Santina.
