Chile’s apple industry ready to face the rains

The main challenges currently facing the apple sector were analyzed during the 11th edition of Pomaexpo, organized by the Pomaceous Center of the University of Talca and ANA Chile. One of the strong points was the importance of varietal replacement in the face of climate change. In 2023, heavy rains in the Maule region strongly affected the fruit harvest, particularly apples. This highlighted the need to prepare for adverse weather events.

Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile, said the sector and the government have made great efforts to prepare for floods, emphasizing the importance of good management of water resources after years of drought. The need to replace apple varieties was a key question. The goal is to adapt to climate change and maintain Chile’s competitiveness as one of the main producers of this fruit. Marambio said Chile is lagging behind in this process, with only 5% of its export volume being new varieties, compared to 40% for direct competitor New Zealand.

The promotion of apples as a fruit appreciated by consumers, particularly young people, has been identified as a key factor in stimulating consumption and opening new international markets. Álvaro Sepúlveda, from the Pomaceous Center of the University of Talca, mentioned that Chile is at a turning point in terms of varietal replacement and the development of new cultivars, taking advantage of the opportunities arising from the crisis and market dynamics, notably growing exports to Latin America.

The current season looks good for the harvest, according to Lorena Pinto of ANA Chile, who highlighted the climatic situation as a comparative advantage. There was consensus on the global challenge of having suitable varieties to ensure the profitability and sustainability of new plantings. Joaquín Carbo, from IRTA, argued that the diversity of habitats in Chile creates opportunities to have varieties adapted to different climatic conditions, thus responding to climate change and the need for varieties capable of thriving in colder areas.

Source: redagricola.com