After 24 years of work and negotiation between Chile and the U.S., Frutas de Chile says the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo and part of Valparaíso will be cleared to ship grapes to the U.S. without fumigation.
The launch of the systems approach for Chilean table grapes has been confirmed, according to a news release. Industry stakeholders held a ceremony in Copiapó, Chile, on June 28 to celebrate its approval.
Speakers at the event included Chile’s Minister of Agriculture Esteban Valenzuela; U.S. Ambassador to Chile Bernadette Meehan; Undersecretary of International Economic Relations Claudia Sanhueza; President of Frutas de Chile Ivan Marambio; and others.
The systems approach replaces methyl bromide fumigation with a series of mitigation measures at the origin, improving the quality and condition of the fruit in the destination market and allowing it to become more competitive in the face of growing competition from other southern hemisphere countries that ship grapes to the U.S. market, the release said.
Valenzuela says the systems approach will benefit table grapes from the regions of Atacama and Coquimbo — large producers and exporters of table grapes destined for the U.S.
After cherries, table grapes are Chile’s main fruit export, valued at $1 billion. Almost half of Chile’s production goes to the U.S., the release said.
Meehan welcomed the measure.
“I am very happy and proud to be here to announce that Chile has obtained approval for the Systems Approach for table grapes,” Meehan said in the release. “The United States is the main market for Chilean grapes and this protocol benefits not only the workers but also the economy and the people of the Atacama, Coquimbo and Valparaíso regions. We have worked hard for almost 24 years. This is another example of the very close relationship between the United States and Chile.”
Sanhueza sees the implementation of the systems approach for table grapes reinforcing ties between Chile and the U.S. The two countries have celebrated 201 years of diplomatic relations and 20 years since the entry into the Free Trade Agreement, the release said.
“This is an opportunity for producers in the Atacama, Coquimbo and Valparaíso regions to boost their competitiveness in the U.S. market. They can increase the quality of their products and improve their entry conditions and value to compete in markets that increasingly demand greater sustainability and adaptation to climate change,” Sanhueza said.
Others in the Chilean government have echoed the sentiment.
“This is an opportunity to assist our exporters to participate in the global market with excellent products that are the result of environmentally friendly processes, a challenge that both governments consider a priority,” Sanhueza said.
Marambio described the approval of the systems approach as the “most important historical event for table grapes.”
“Chile is a grape-growing country. Our traditional fruit is grapes, and the systems approach will help to improve our competitiveness,” he said. “The consumers in our largest market, the United States, will be able to enjoy a higher quality grape. With the systems approach, Chile has the possibility of exporting 60% of our grapes without fumigation. This is extraordinary, and it will allow us to be more competitive in the global market.”
In 2023, Chilean grape exports totaled $905 million, reaching 72 destinations in the world, according to the release. Shipments to the U.S. totaled $431 million, representing nearly 50% of Chilean fresh grape shipments and making it the country’s largest market for grapes.
