The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (Asoex) has affirmed in a press release that the organisation is now in full compliance with new USDA requirements for fresh fruit imports into the US, following the detection of fruit fly in Cerro Yungay, close to Chile’s main port in Valparaíso.
Asoex board chairman Ronald Bown said its officials are in frequent contact with the Chilean phytosanitary agency (SAG) as well as port authorities, shipping companies, exporters, growers, industry suppliers, and others involved in supplying fresh Chilean fruit to North American markets.
The joint approach is aimed at analysing the situation and implementing a permanent solution to it, according to Bown.
Full compliance with all of the USDA’s food safety standards, not only at the point of production but throughout the supply chain, are among Asoex’s highest priorities, Bown explained.
To this effect, he said all fruit loaded at the Port of Valparaíso must use micro-punctured bags or protection nets on the pallets if the fruit does not arrive at the port in sealed containers from their respective packing stations.
This protocol entered into operation on 12 January and will remain in place throughout the season, according to Asoex.
Despite the situation, Bown stated that Asoex does not foresee any impact on the volume of Chilean fresh fruit entering the North American market in 2012/13.
In fact, the organisation is anticipating a “strong, consistent supply throughout the season”.
