Updated at 16.40 GMT with comment from Asoex
Large parts of the Chilean fresh fruit trade have emerged with minimal damage and the short-term prospects for trade are good following the 8.8-magnitude earthquake which struck in the early hours of Saturday (27 February).
That is the view of the Chilean Exporters Association (Asoex), which is working on confirming reports of damage to some packing houses, coldstorage facilities, transportation links, ports and airports.
“Although it’s too early to measure the likely mid- to long-term impact of the earthquake on fruit supplies for export, initial reports are encouraging,” Asoex chairman Ronald Bown said in a press release.
“A number of the key packing facilities escaped with minimal damage and where roads and bridges are impassible, alternate routes are available. Because Chile has moved to the peak of its harvest season, a substantial volume of fruit is on the water headed for international ports. We do not anticipate major disruption in fruit supplies.”
Asoex said all fruit inspection sites operated by SAG and USDA-APHIS are operational, including Lo Herrera, Los Lirios and Teno, despite still being without internet and/or telephone connection.
Chile's main fruit port in Valparaíso is also working to almost full capacity, according to Asoex, after operations were initially suspended on Saturday.
Indeed, Valparaíso port officials told Fruitnet.com that fruit is currently being loaded from Berth 6 while structural assessments continue. Berths 1-2, 6 and 8 remain open, while 4-5 and 7 continue to undergo damage assessment.
According to Asoex, yesterday (Sunday 28 February) a vessel departed from the Port of Valparaíso and today a new vessel (Snow Cry) is being loaded.
Meanwhile, the Port of San Antonio Este is currently under evaluation, Asoex said, whereas the Port of Coquimbo is working normally.
Both the country’s main highway heading south (Ruta 5 Sur) as well as the main highway outside the international airport in Santiago (Vespucio Norte) have been damaged, according to local news reports. Several bridges throughout the central and south regions have also been broken.
The international airport in Santiago, meanwhile, has reportedly re-opened with a limited service and is expected to return to full capacity in 48 hours.
Many Chilean fruit growers and exporters told Fruitnet.com that initially it seems much of the impact on farms lies with damage to packing and coldstorage facilities, as well as irrigation systems, with the loss of electricity and running water being the main problem.
“This will be a logistical and export problem, rather than one for fruit production,” said Raúl Dastres of berry exporter Valle Maule. “Several coolers are without energy.”
Jon Cappelluti of Summerland Sales & Exports explained that the damage is widespread across Chile’s south-central region, adding that he believes table grapes are the most affected crop, with potential problems for early apples and pears.
“Lots of cold storages and packing houses in Curico, Talca and Linares have no power,” Mr Cappellutti stated. “Fruit is getting warm and consequently being lost.”
Another supplier also told Fruitnet.com that the tremors caused a lot of fruit to fall from the trees, especially apples which are currently in full season.
The epicentre of the quake was 115km north-east of Chile’s second-largest city Concepción in the Biobío area (Region VIII) and 325km south-west of Santiago.
The cities of Concepción, Constitution, Talcahuano, Curicó and other towns on Chile’s Pacific coastline were hardest hit, according to local media. Effects were reportedly felt from the V Region all the way south to the IX Region.
Asoex said it is continuing to working on a complete diagnosis of the situation and updates will be posted on the www.chileanfreshfruit.com website in an effort to keep receivers, importers and trade colleagues posted on any unanticipated disruptions in the supply of particular fruits.
