South America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from South America.
Tierra Suelta enters peak dragon fruit season
Miami-based tropical fruit grower and importer Tierra Suelta has reported that plentiful volumes of premium dragon fruit are now available
Ecuador confirms presence of Fusarium TR4
Agrocalidad declares a six-month phytosanitary emergency after the presence of the fungus on a farm in El Oro province is corroborated
Lunar New Year edition of Asiafruit out now
Lunar New Year preview, Australia export focus and a keynote interview with Rockit Global CEO Grant McBeath headline this issue
Marketing to Gen Z: Premium pineapple packs a punch
Xavier Roussel of Dole explains why the world’s largest fruit company has introduced another premium pineapple variety
China matches Peru as world’s leading table grape exporter
Country’s production expands for seventh consecutive year, as global production is forecast to rise by 545,000 tonnes
Anrin Logistics boosts customs operations
Anrin Logistics is increasing customs work against a backdrop of lower consumption and market risk aversion
Chile outlines ambitious plans for Indian market
Negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are advancing well, says Iván Marambio
Dole announces sale of Guayaquil port
Port and operations are to be offloaded to Terminal Investment Holding Limited, while Dole will continue to utilise the facility post-sale
Analysis: Seeded grapes ‘almost completely disappearing’
Dutch industry organisation GroentenFruit Huis says imports into the Netherlands have grown by 40 per cent in past decade
Hortifrut reports major loss and announces strategic changes in Peru
World’s largest blueberry producer closes September with losses of US$59.19mn, and moves forward with production shifts in key markets
Citromax and SeeTree introduce tree-level intelligence in Argentina
SeeTree platform integrates high-res aerial drone imagery and information collected on the ground by sensors, and agronomy teams
ICTSI announces R$948mn expansion of Rio Brasil Terminal
The R$948mn project will boost the terminal’s capacity from 440,000 TEUs to 750,000 TEUs annually between 2025 and 2029
Colombian avocado producers form strategic alliance to boost exports
RFT Holding integrates seven farms in eastern Antioquia with a combined annual production of 4,150 tonnes
Chile launches campaign to boost domestic blueberry consumption
“Small, mighty, and delicious. Blueberries, all the time!” is the tagline of the new campaign
Costa Rica concludes UK phase of European campaign to promote pineapple and cassava
Campaign featured in-store tastings in Tesco and Morrisons and advertising at Waterloo tube station
Costa Rica evaluates disease-resistant banana cultivars
Corbana held an event to assess the agronomic performance and consumer acceptance of varieties from France and Brazil
Unifrutti boosts presence in Peru with acquisition of Safco
Deal consolidates Unifrutti’s position as a leading SH table grape producer and expands offering of proprietary table grape varieties
Primland primed for growth of gold kiwi
With production on the rise in France, Portugal and Greece, kiwifruit marketer Primland is ready to respond to increasing consumer demand
Fresh Inset trials show pear shelf-life extended eight days
Argentine trials show William’s pears packed in MCPBag with Vidre+ ripened slower than those in standard packaging
DP World powers Chile’s cherry export boom ahead of Chinese New Year
Advanced reefer infrastructure, expanded staffing, and new data capabilities strengthen Chile’s fresh fruit supply to Asia
Abrafrutas debuts new sustainability seal for Brazilian fruit
Frutas do Brasil ESG Seal aims to boost competitiveness of Brazilian fruit in global markets
Peruvian lime exports on course to reach new record in 2025
Figures reflect upward trajectory of shipments and consolidation of US and Chile as Peru’s main markets
Ecuador: official plantain price to rise by US$0.50 in 2026
Agriculture ministry said new price guarantees a fair price for producers and helps maintain the sector’s competitiveness
First Cherry Express of 2025/26 season arrives at Port of Nansha
MSC vessel Lome V has carried around 8,000 tonnes of cherries from the Port of San Antonio in Chile
Proposed new port tax threatens Chilean fruit exports
Frutas de Chile says the new royalty will impact the competitiveness of the sector
Camposol secures US$400mn finance deal to boost Peruvian operation
Money will fund blueberry varietal renewal programme, job creation and productivity improvements in avocados
Argentine pear exports stall after strong start to the year
Exporters blame lack of reliable trade statistics for failure to plan adequately for latter stages of season
Argentine lemon sector showing signs of recovery
Drop in Northern Hemisphere production and more balanced international market augur well for shippers
Kiwi Passion unveils new yellow kiwifruit
Consortium says addition of ‘robust’ variety makes it the only group that can produce kiwifruit at scale in both northern and southern Europe
Colombia’s banana exports head back to normality
Augura’s Emerson Aguirre talks diversification, resilience and the road ahead for Colombian Bananas
Video: How will AI shape the future of fresh produce?
AI is transforming how fruit and vegetables are bred, grown, distributed and marketed. But where will the technology have the greatest potential impact?
SIIM and CMA CGM sign strategic tropical fruit agreement
SIIM will consolidate over 5,000 containers from Africa and Latin America through Dunkirk in 2026, for an annual volume of more than 80,000 tonnes
Chile fires starting gun on new cherry campaign in China
Cherry Committee premieres new documentary highlighting the industry’s longstanding collaboration with the Asian country
Argentina edges closer to US access for oranges and mandarins
Approval would represent a major boost for the country’s citrus industry, says Federcitrus
Fedemango aims to reach 500,000 tonnes of production by 2030
Colombian Federation of Mango Producers is seeking to consolidate its presence in key export markets like the US and Europe and open up new markets
Ecuador opens first phytosanitary centre exclusively for dragon fruit
The new facility in Palora will fuel production and exports of the fruit