Chile has recently established a new inspection site for fresh fruits and vegetables intended for the United States market. Situated in the Atacama Region, a prominent region for producing Chilean table grapes for the U.S. market under the Systems Approach protocol, this site spans 3,650 square meters (11,975 square feet) and is equipped with 30 inspection tables. The purpose of this site is to enhance the capacity to inspect and adhere to the necessary international standards.
The Ministry of Agriculture disclosed that over 600 million Chilean pesos (equivalent to approximately US$612,000) were invested in the development of this inspection site, with contributions from Frutas de Chile and the regional government. This new infrastructure complements the seven other phytosanitary inspection sites spread across Chile, which are the outcome of a longstanding tripartite agreement spanning more than four decades between the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS), and Frutas de Chile.
Ignacio Caballero, the executive director of the Chilean Fruit Table Grape Committee, highlighted that this initiative will enhance the inspection capabilities and ensure compliance with the necessary international standards, thereby reinforcing Chile’s reputation as the primary exporter of fresh fruit in the southern hemisphere. He further noted that over 1 million boxes of table grapes from Atacama, Coquimbo, and Valparaíso have been inspected to date, with 675,100 boxes originating from Copiapó.
In a related article, it was mentioned that Chilean table grapes continue to exhibit high expectations for the remainder of the campaign, signifying a positive outlook for the industry. Additionally, an upcoming event, GrapeTech, is scheduled to take place on June 18 at the Casino Monticello Event Center. Organized by UvaNova and Yentzen Group, GrapeTech is poised to be a leading technical event focusing on table grapes in Chile, featuring global experts who will address various technical aspects essential for industry growth, including post-harvest practices, crop management, evaluation of new varieties, and nutrition, among others. For more information on GrapeTech, interested individuals can reach out to events@yentzengroup.com or visit www.grapetechconvention.com.
In conclusion, the establishment of the new inspection site in the Atacama Region underscores Chile’s commitment to ensuring the quality and compliance of fresh fruits and vegetables exported to the United States. This initiative, coupled with ongoing collaborations and advancements in the industry, positions Chile as a key player in the global fresh fruit market, with a strong emphasis on maintaining high standards and meeting international requirements.
