South America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from South America.
Peru’s 2025/26 blueberry campaign off to strong start
Shipments set to grow 25 per cent this season, but increased volume is already putting pressure on prices
El Ciruelo: Trump tariffs do not pose a significant risk for us
Maria Luiza Castro, manager of El Ciruelo Brazil, discusses the likely impact of Trump’s new tariff regime on the Brazilian table grape industry
Inia trials natural shelf-life extending solution for berries
Project centres on an innovative biological preservation system based on improved native yeasts
Blue Skies marketing director steps down
Mark Crawford has overseen strong growth at the tropical fruit supplier, and leaves the business for new role
Chile moves to contain surge in fruit fly infestations
Frutas de Chile requests urgent approval of Bill providing SAG with greater and better tools to combat illegal fruit smuggling
Mission Produce’s Central and South America president to retire in November
After 14 years of leadership expanding Mission Produce’s operations across Central and South America, Juan Wiesner will retire effective 1 November, with Simón González stepping into an expanded senior role
The Fresh Ideas Show: Summer sales, blueberries or bust, and magic magnets
Hear from fresh produce business experts including Tesco, Oddbox, Elenovations and Alegra in the latest episode of Fruitnet’s video podcast
Turkish lemons “lacking” after frosty spring
Lemons are expected to be in short supply globally this year, as most major suppliers struggle for volumes and the effects of Turkey’s disastrous frost continue to be felt
Costa Rican melons gain access to China
Announcement comes on 14th anniversary of Free Trade Agreement between the two nations
MSC announces new, faster service between Asia and west coast of South America
Alpaca Service will also take over the role of the Cherry Express during the Chilean cherry export season
Climate change reshapes Chile’s fruit production map
Bioclimatology expert argues that the industry has a unique opportunity to reposition itself, provided bold and coordinated action is taken
Experts expect no slowdown in UK avocado market
Global avocado supplies continue to increase, leading many to predict imminent issues of oversupply, but a panel of UK experts at this year’s Festival of Fresh conference see more room for growth
Peruvian blueberries on their way to Indonesia
Authorisation opens up a market of 281mn consumers to Peruvian exporters
Unifrutti issues fraud alert following suspicious communications
International fresh produce company has alerted the industry to fraudulent communications from various sources, which are said to have falsely claimed to represent the group and solicited payments
Bayer advances registration for groundbreaking herbicide icafolin-methyl
Bayer is advancing registration applications for icafolin-methyl, agriculture’s first new mode of action for post-emergent weed control in over 30 years, with estimated peak sales potential of €750mn
Ecuadorean bananas put in solid performance in first half of 2025
Exporters benefit from production issues in other Latin American countries
Hortifrut launches on-the-branch blueberries in Europe
Company said product responds to consumer expectations for freshness, quality, and sustainable packaging
DiMuto ships first AI-verified Peruvian avocados into China
Trade solutions provider has now enabled digital traceability across three key fresh fruit categories
Oppy begins Southern Hemisphere Envy apple imports
The global apple programme will deliver uninterrupted supply of the premium variety with imports from New Zealand beginning in early August
Chiquita Brands could face new lawsuits from victims of paramilitaries
The victims of the case against the Chiquita Brands executives convicted of financing paramilitarism are considering new legal action in Colombia and abroad to seek full reparations for the crimes they were subjected to due to this criminal alliance.
Poland seeks new apple opportunities
Apple group Genesis Fresh has maintained its export volumes and is actively exploring new markets despite a weather-affected drop in volumes this season, according to Jan Nowakowski
Survey: AI and automation in fresh produce supply chains
Fruitnet reaches out to fruit and veg business professionals to investigate current and future impact of groundbreaking new technologies
Chilean cherry grower bids to stretch British season to 100 days
FGA Farming is using Chilean production systems and new varieties to extend supply as it scales up to become UK’s single biggest cherry grower
Peru Meet-Up to spotlight innovation and trade opportunities between Latin America, Asia and beyond
Latin America’s fresh produce suppliers connect with global buyers at two-day networking and knowledge-sharing event – trade visitor and sponsorship registration now open
Strong start for Peruvian avos
Exports for first half of 2025 show big jump in value and volume
Food security report exposes climate change risks for UK importers
Study urges suppliers to take action to avoid empty shelves, with half of UK fruit and veg imports facing severe climate threats by 2050
Brazilian mango and grape exports to US at risk from tariff plan
Brazilian fruit association warns that exports of mangoes and grapes to the US are under serious threat from planned tariffs set to take effect in August
Cosmic Crisp takes centre stage at Independence Day celebration at US Embassy in Chile
Agricola San Clemente has held the exclusive license to grow the variety in Chile since 2018
Kuehne+Nagel opens state-of-the-art logistics centre in Ecuador
The global logistics provider has unveiled a modern facility near Quito featuring extensive refrigerated warehousing to enhance its perishable transport services in the region
Chilean market opens for Argentine lemons
Federcitrus sees good potential for summer lemons in the Chilean market
Argentine fruit sector feels the heat
Five industry organisations call for urgent action from the government to “guarantee their survival”
Brazil’s fruit exports surge 27 per cent in first half of 2025
Brazil has recorded significant growth in its fruit export sector for the first half of 2025, with volume up 27.2 per cent and value increasing by 12.6 per cent compared to the same period last year
Record blueberry crop poses challenges for Peru
ProArandanos GM analyses logistical and commercial pressure points the industry faces in 2025/26
Taiwan peach production nears 17,000 tonnes as cherry and nectarine imports grow
New USDA report forecasts Taiwan peach production for 2025, with total stonefruit consumption expected to hit 31,500 tonnes as nectarine and cherry imports increase
Hellmann expands Americas network with Colombian subsidiary
Following nearly 30 years of operating through local partners, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has established a fully-owned subsidiary in Colombia, marking a strategic expansion of its Americas network
US tariff plan leaves Brazilian mango and grape producers reeling
With the country’s mango and grape harvests just days away, producers are scrambling for solutions after the US announced a 50 per cent import tariff starting August 1, potentially diverting fruit to other markets