Chile’s Hass avocado crop has been largely unaffected by the recent frosts, with losses totalling just 5-10 per cent, according to the Chilean Hass Avocado Committee and the Chilean Hass Avocado Importers Association in the US.
In statements from the organisations, Committee president Adolfo Ochagavía said that the low temperatures over the last four weeks, particularly on 1-4 July, have mainly affected orchards from the Metropolitan Region to the VI Region.
“In the V Region we’re seeing damage in flat areas, some of which had been weakened by drought,” explained Ochagavía.
“In the IV Region, temperatures in general were benign so there are only a few affected zones which are not significant in terms of production volume.”
As a result of the weather, the association expects that losses in the 2011/12 season will only total 5-10 per cent.
“We estimate that total production, despite the effect of the frost, will be around 200,000 tonnes, which is approximately 25 per cent more than last season,” stated Ochagavía.
Of that total, the US market is due to receive 77,110 tonnes (170m lbs) of fruit as originally predicted, the statement said.
“We are very pleased that the crops did not sustain any significant damage from the recent freezing temperatures in Chile,” Ochagavía added.
“The quality of the 2011 Chilean Hass avocado crop is exceptionally high and we are looking forward to a successful year.”
The Committee represents over 75 per cent of Chile’s Hass avocado volume.
