The eradication of Mediterranean fruit fly in Chile’s central Arica province means the way could now be open for exports of mangoes, guava, bananas, Hass avocados and citrus.
The region was declared free of the pest just last month and exporters’ association president Ronald Bown has already visited the region and recommended citrus production increase in line with demands of key markets such as the US.
The main production area is the Azapa valley - 3km from the city of Arica.
The production sector is well developed and growers have had considerable success with tomatoes, so the whole valley is already irrigation-equipped. Average annual temperatures are 18°C with lows of 14°C and highs of 28°C.
According to Chilean press reports, at least 100 hectares of the valley are under-exploited and could be turned over to production of the tropical fruit lines that would grow so easily there and amplify Chile’s export portfolio.
Hass avocados - favourites of the European market including the UK - are already hotly tipped as a crop for the region. However, increased water supplies would be required if the scale of production reaches the 500ha some agronomists suggest in the Chilean reports.
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