Despite incurring US$3m in losses from a fire at one of its oldest facilities, Rucaray is looking back on the season in a positive light.
According to director of global projects Alberto Navajas, the fire at Coltauco damaged Rucaray’s new controlled atmosphere rooms as well as some fruit and packing materials.
Nevertheless, he says that 2012/13 saw positive gains for its apple, cherry and mid-season kiwifruit lines.
“Rucaray has the latest kiwifruit harvest in Chile from the VI Region,” he says. “We offer the best eating quality potential under the most rigorous standards. Buyers are noticing the difference and accept that they will receive the first arrivals in late May.”
Although Asia has been a difficult market for Chilean kiwifruit, Navajas says Rucaray was the only Chilean brand promoted in China during 2012, with sampling in 30 stores from July through September.
