Chilean grapes approved for Systems Approach replacing fumigation

After 24 years of work and negotiation between Chile and the U.S., the launch of the Systems Approach for Chilean table grapes has been confirmed. Industry stakeholders held a ceremony in Copiapó on June 28 to celebrate its approval.

Speakers at the event included Chile Minister of Agriculture Esteban Valenzuela, U.S. Ambassador to Chile Bernadette Meehan, Undersecretary of International Economic Relations Claudia Sanhueza and President of Frutas de Chile Ivan Marambio.

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.      

Valenzuela commented on the importance of grapes to the Chilean fresh fruit industry, emphasizing that the Systems Approach will benefit table grapes from the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo and part of Valparaíso, which are large producers and exporters of table grapes destined for the U.S.

“This is very important. After cherries, table grapes are the country’s main fruit export, valuing $1 billion, and almost half of Chile’s production goes to the United States. This is very significant at a time when the economy is reactivating and we need to recover jobs from the central-northern regions,” said the Secretary of State during the ceremony, which was also attended by Senator Yasna Provoste and Senator Rafael Prohens.

Meehan, welcomed the measure, saying “I am very happy and proud to be here to announce that Chile has obtained approval for the Systems Approach for table grapes. 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.”

For her part, Sanhueza added that the implementation of the Systems Approach for table grapes reinforces the strong ties between Chile and the United States.  The two countries have celebrated 201 years of diplomatic relations and 20 years since the entry into the Free Trade Agreement.

“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,” said Sanhueza.

Furthermore, the undersecretary added, "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."