Indonesia recognizes Chile as a fruit-fly-free country, opening new opportunities for exports

Chile unlocked a new sanitary and commercial achievement after the Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA) officially recognized the Andean country as a fruit fly-free agricultural supplier.

For Chilean Undersecretary of Agriculture Francesco Venezian, the recognition underscores the importance of sanitation efforts and the work carried out by the local Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).

Image courtesy of the CFDA.

"This condition is recognized internationally and reflects our country's commitment to the safety and health of our products, also allowing us to open new opportunities for Chilean exports," noted Venezian.

Opening Indonesia to Chilean fruit

Miguel Canala-Echeverría, General Manager at local industry body Frutas de Chile, celebrated the results of the bilateral agenda and emphasized the impact that this sanitary recognition will have on the Chilean fruit industry.

He added that the agreement brings several practical benefits, including optimizing air logistics costs and transit times for Chilean shipments. The protocol recognizes fruit fly-free zones within the country, a significant step toward Chilean lemons entering the Indonesian market.

During the signing ceremony, the parties also advanced talks to implement an electronic phytosanitary certification and finalize the entry protocol for Chilean mandarins, a process that, according to Canala-Echeverría, is projected to close by the end of this year.

Image courtesy of SAG

Víctor Catán, president of the Federation of Fruit Producers of Chile (Fedefruta), told FreshFruitPortal.com that he’s glad for the announcement, but stressed that the deal calls on Chilean producers to redouble their commitment to avoid and prevent fruit fly outbreaks.

Indonesia is an important Asian market for fresh Chilean fruit. In the 2025/26 season, the country was the ninth destination for these shipments, with more than 310,000 boxes and a 15 percent year-on-year growth.

Table grapes accounted for 96 percent of shipments, followed by kiwifruit, cherries, and apples.

*Main photograph: Ministry of Agriculture of Chile.

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