These shipments are expected to generate returns of $107 million for Chile, especially benefiting producers and regions approved to implement this phytosanitary protocol.

This is the second consecutive season that the Chilean Table Grape Committee expects growth in shipments.

The complaint says the authorization unlawfully abandons traditional, time-tested safeguards and exposes U.S. grape producers to significant risks and costs, including those related to invasive pests.

Representative from the phytosanitary certification sub-department of SAG, Jaime Álvarez, outlined the details of the program and provided recommendations to producers who wish to be part of the initiative.

The Chilean table grape industry exported 64 million boxes, equivalent to 528,795 tons during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

High winter temperatures caused poor sprouting, which implies more work in greening, thinning, and harvesting, lower efficiency in all work, and generally lower yields.

Supply issues began in August when Hurricane Hilary struck California. From there, the industry witnessed a domino effect of adverse conditions.

Members of the industry and exporters see this as a great opportunity to test out the system and see how it could be implemented in other regions of the country, as well as other export markets like the U.S.

U.S. retailers are focused on table grape imports and fruit in cold storage as the local harvest period has come to an end.

Spot banana business out of Ecuador and the specialized reefer-centric Chilean grape season are especially vulnerable to the delays.