Report losses of between $ 120 and $ 150 million in the Chilean fruit sector after hail

By Redacción PortalPortuario.cl

@PortalPortuario

On President of the Association of Exporters of Fruit of Chile (ASOEX), Ronald Bown Fernández estimated the amount of losses between USD 120 and 150 million for the sector after rainfall and hailstorms in the south-central zone of the country.

"We estimate losses for our sector between $ 120 million and $ 150 million," said the union leader.

Low losses are estimated and, in very limited areas, in the volumes of blueberries, cherries, kernels, kiwis and table grapes. "However, at a specific level, we know and regret that there are producers who have lost all or almost all of their production." The agricultural sector, and that of the fruit in particular, depend on climatic conditions Adverse situations such as those experienced, especially in a key period for some species, are undoubtedly serious, "said Bown.

Blueberries

About Damage to Blueberries, the Executive Director of the Andres Armstrong Committee of Chilean Blueberries-ASOEX, reported that the region O. Higgins would be one of the most affected and that damage would be reported in different fruit trees.

"However, the impact on exports would be comparatively low, due to the region's lower participation in blueberries in this region, which accounts for 7% of Chile's total. the spirit that hail has been reported in some areas containing the largest area of ​​blueberries from the Maule region to the mountain range, in the communes of Longaví, Parral and Retiro.The damage in other areas were and to a lesser extent, "he said.

With regard to estimating the damage, the representative added that "preliminary badessments made these days indicate that about 2,000 hectares of blueberries could be damaged, from the metropolitan area to the south The reduction in exported volume is estimated at 4,200 tons, either due to a fall in fruit or a larger volume of scrap due to the effect of "machucones". 19659004] "Thus, the reduction would be about 4% and, as a result, the volume of export costs, it would be reduced from 105 000 tonnes, initially estimated, to 100 800 tonnes. This is a lower figure, but located between the initial production and the mid-season, which will affect shipments from weeks 46 to 48, "he added.

Armstrong added that, during by week 46, Chilean blueberry exports amounted to 625. tons, representing North America 66%, Asia 24% and Europe 10%. Cumulative volume of shipments totaled 1 905 tonnes, 14% more than that shipped in the same week last year, while organic blueberries accounted for 41% of total exports, with North America being the largest main destination with a market share of 99%.

Cherries

Regarding cherries, according to The second estimate of the committee of cherry ASOEX, made on November 16, is expected to decrease -10.5% compared to last season.With this estimate, the Committee weighs the impact of the chu last week's hailstones by -7.1% compared to the estimated volume before the occurrence of these phenomena. In this way, the projection of the total volume exported from the industry would be 33,446,491 boxes of 5 kg, or 167,232 tonnes. This estimate was made from information from 54 companies accounting for 80% of the exporting industry last season.

Grapes

For its part, Fernando Sat, Chair of the ASOEX Table Grape Committee reported that "in general, the number of boxes lost does not increase." It is not very relevant, although we still do not have exhaustive figures, we know, given the period, that the losses will be quite limited, because for the grapes, the impact will be very important. is mainly focused on the Sixth Region, from the road to the mountain range ".

He commented that with regard to the projection of the 2018-2019 table grape season, this should be accompanied by a slight decline, which should not exceed 2 %. However, he pointed out that this decrease should not be due to hail, but rather to the change in variety that this industry is currently experiencing. "There will be a significant decrease in traditional varieties that no longer have a market, as in the case of Flame, as well as Thompson and Superior, which will also lead to an increase in the number of patented varieties. with Chilean grapes will leave between weeks 48 and 49. Although we are not in a hurry to leave before, there are still fruits from California and Peru on the market. "

Kiwi

Finally, Carlos Cruzat, chairman of the Kiwi Committee of Chile noted that after the visit of the technical teams to damaged areas and orchards, they had ratified the first damage forecast, the figure of 5%. Cruzat, however, pointed out that what is most worrying now is that hail will have a negative impact on the production of orchards severely damaged in the next season due to the degradation of wood and defoliation that will affect fertility.