The Chilean authorities are assessing the impact of heavy snowfall in the Copiapó Valley on Monday that is said to have affected on local fruit production.
Lina Arrieta, president of the Association of Grower-Exporters in the Copiapó Valley (APECO) said that the snow was causing problems in the area from San Antonio northwards as it followed last May’s heavy flooding in the region.
“The situation is very worrying and the local authorities have been alerted about this new problem,” she said.
Local producer Jaime Prohens said that some netting covering some 180ha of table grape production in the Rodeo and Punto Negro area had collapsed under the weight of the snow.
A more detailed evaluation of the extent of the damage was expected imminently, the authorities said.
