The Comité de Palta Hass de Chile (Chilean Hass Avocado Committee) has completed a week-long review of the industry, determining that the sector was mostly unharmed by the 27 February earthquake and is now operating normally.
As of this week, close to 98 per cent of Chile’s 2009/10 Hass avocado export crop (shipped between July to March) has already been exported, according to a press release from the Committee.
This includes a record 300m lbs to the US as well as a record 51,000 tonnes to Europe, of which a record 8,000 tonnes went to the UK market.
The main export gateway for Chilean Hass avocados, the Port of Valparaíso, is also now working at almost full capacity, the Committee said.
Highways from the avocado-growing areas and packing facilities are also in good condition, according to the organisation, as well as domestic and international communications.
“As it would be expected the national and international media is covering the most damaged areas of the country where there was substantial destruction and our prayers go to all of the people that have been affected by this terrible earthquake,” said Committee chairman Adolfo Ochagavía.
“Both the Chilean public and private sectors as well as the international community are working diligently to help the people that were most affected by the quake and the Chilean Hass Avocado Committee would like to thank everyone for their continued support and assistance during this difficult period for our country.”
