Port of Coquimbo

Abundant spring rains and the strength of the US dollar point towards 2015/16 being one of the most positive campaigns of recent years for table grape producers in Coquimbo, northern Chile.

Andrés Chiang from the country’s Agriculture Authority said the rainfall had resulted in better quality, bigger berry sizes and a greater volume, which together with the strong dollar should translate into higher prices and returns for growers.

Daniela Norambuena of Sociedad Agrícola del Norte (SAN) said production volumes would be very similar, if not higher than in 2014/15 and that the rains had the added benefit of bringing greater security about the prospects for future seasons.

“In the case of Elqui it means we have secure water supplies for another three seasons, which is very reassuring,” she said.

However, the season faces the threat of being derailed by the continued closure of one of the quays at the port of Coquimbo due to the damage it sustained during last September’s earthquake and tsunami.

“The port has only one berth in operation and priority is being given to other sectors such as metal exports and cruise ships carrying tourists,” Chiang noted. “This suggests that there won’t be sufficient capacity to handle fruit exports and companies will have to send shipments from other ports.”

Norambuena said that exporters faced significantly higher transportation costs as a result. Local producers have requested a meeting with port operator Terminal Puerto Coquimbo to try and resolve the problem.

“Improvements must be made to the port in order to ensure that this does not happen again. We know there is a project in the pipeline but it is essential that new berths are built within the bay so that exports are not affected in future,” she said.