South America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from South America.
Agap calls for government action to end Senasa strike
Walkout by Peru’s plant health authority threatens key exports including grapes and avocados
LatAm port investments a boon for region’s fruit exporters
Cosco’s new mega-port in Chancay and expansion of DP World’s terminals in Callao and Posorja will increase capacity and improve connectivity
Chilean grapes edge closer to improved US access
Top-level discussions suggest decision to grant access under a Systems Approach is imminent
Westfalia Fruit Peru joins blueberry boom
Company expects to ship around 500 tonnes in its first year
Indian delegation visits Chilean prune production sites
Long-term promotion could see imports of prunes to India rise to 12,000 tonnes
Comment: Sustainability is no longer an optional extra
Agrifood companies are well used to tracking key performance indicators. The reality is they now need to monitor sustainability performance closely too
Copefrut releases second Sustainability Report
Highlights include achieving the first carbon-neutral fruit in South America
Fairtrade releases 2023 annual report
’Driving the fairness agenda’ highlights the achievements of the Fairtrade system and showcases progress on key issues
Chile revises kiwifruit export forecast upwards
Shipments set to reach 139,000 tonnes for the 2024 season
Fruit Logistica records 10 per cent rise in exhibitor bookings
Deadline to reserve stand space at world’s most important fruit and veg industry trade show is on 31 July 2024
Ozblu hosts Global Grower Conference
Event looks at evolution of the blueberry category and highlights the success of Ozblu Magica in Peru
Chiquita plans to appeal US court verdict on Colombia killings
Fruit supplier maintains its payments to AUC were the result of extortion, not collusion, after Florida jury demands damages be paid
Chiquita must pay US$38m to families of Colombia paramilitary victims
Court ruling says multinational fruit marketer “knowingly” paid the terrorist organisation AUC, which was found responsible for eight killings
Camposol announces improvement in credit rating
Moody’s upgrade reflects company’s increased liquidity
Hortifrut appoints Héctor Luján Valladolid as new CEO
Luján replaces Juan Ignacio Allende, who becomes director of Hortifrut’s US partner, Naturipe
Global avocado market “braced for expansion”
A new Rabobank report has predicted a shift in the market, with growing levels of production and trade
Colombia launches national avocado brand
Avocados From Colombia label represents the sustainability of the country’s Hass avocado offer
Zespri hosts Chilean kiwifruit visit
Fact-finding trip designed to foster greater spirit of collaboration
Jose Antonio Gómez stands down as Camposol CEO
Gómez steered the company through some of its toughest times during his three-year tenure
Navigating the ‘toughest mango season in decades’
Lewey Hook, technical director at SH Pratt Tropical, discusses how the company is coping with the current challenges in mango supply
Camposol celebrates “exceptional” Q1 results
Strong performance in mango and blueberry segments help lift net profit by 76.5 per cent compared to Q1 2023
Peru mango collapse dents UK supply
Severe weather problems in South America hit EU and UK mango supply
Apem assesses results of 2023/24 mango campaign
Shipments down two-thirds due to El Niño
Washington Apple Commission receives export development funding
New Regional Agricultural Promotion Program to fuel export expansion in emerging markets such as South-East Asia
Greek grapes help extend season for Europe
With Southern Hemisphere grape volumes increasingly impacted by rain, and strong demand coming from South America, the US and Asia, the European market is increasingly under pressure, says Georgios Bitsakos from Grapa Varieties
Strong showing for Colombian avocados
Despite the smaller size profile of this year’s crop, the European campaign is going smoothly so far
Colombian avocado shipments to US keep on growing
With the traviesa season peak underway, the US market can expect arrivals of more than 50 containers a week
Ecuador adopts new traceability system for ag exports
Move aims to increase consumer confidence and satisfaction in the country’s export offer
Disease and climate change slash Brazil’s orange output
Brazilian orange farmers are braced for their smallest crop in 36 years in 2024/25, as they grapple with the impact of climate change and citrus greening.
Consumers want greater support for avocado growers amid climate change threat
Charity Christian Aid calls for action on emissions as water stress in key production regions like Mexico, Spain and Chile leaves future of avocado supply in doubt
Oppy welcomes apple crop
The group’s supply covers a range of varieties and spans Washington, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile
Colombian banana exports to bounce back
After last year’s drop in shipments, the country plans to increase banana exports in 2024
New blueberry variety shows promising results for Camposol
La Chola characterised by high yield, firmness, large berry size and high brix
Kissabel enjoys growth in Southern Hemisphere
The Australian campaign for Kissabel is set to continue until June to raise brand awareness, while efforts to expand the commercial window in Chile continue and South Africa prepares for the first tests in 2025
Future-proofing Chilean citrus
Monserrat Valenzuela of the Chilean Citrus Committee, analyses the challenges and opportunities facing the sector
Weak yen weighs on Japanese fruit imports
Depreciation of the Japanese currency sees average per kilo cost of imports increase 14 per cent year-on-year in first quarter