South America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from South America.
Chilean avocado output reaches highest level in 15 years
Better-than-expected results down to favourable climatic conditions, improved fruit set and better growing techniques
Peru suspends pitahaya imports from Ecuador
Move follows discovery of unauthorised chemicals on a consignment destined for Peru
Peru leapfrogs Chile to become LatAm’s biggest fruit exporter
Shipments are projected to exceed US$10bn this year according to Midagri
Comment: Tropical fruit market outlook remains positive despite global challenges
Despite widespread geopolitical turmoil and economic challenges, the outlook for tropical fresh fruit remains extremely positive according to RaboResearch’s Cindy van Rijswick at the Fruitnet Tropicals Congress.
Reybanpac receives sustainability award from Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce
Banana company recognised for its social and environmental practices
Global avocado market surpasses US$20bn
New RaboResearch report shows new acreage and more diversified supply base is driving export growth
Arra Cherry Crush continues to gain ground and open new markets
Volumes are building in Brazil, while 2025 marked the first commercial shipments from India
Camposol opens Peruvian blueberry season in Asia with first ocean arrival
A new route from Chancay Port significantly reduced transit time
Chiquita urged to condemn arrest of Panama union leaders
US-based organisation Global Labor Justice has called on Chiquita to condemn the arrests of two Sitraibana union leaders following a six-week strike that halted Panama’s banana industry.
SanLucar boosts Ecuadorean production with Sun World deal
SanLucar signs exclusive production and export agreement with Sun World in Ecuador
Equifruit speaks out against gender-based violence in banana industry
Company becomes founding signatory of Silence Does Not Protect campaign
Fresh initiatives fuel global growth at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025
Asia Fruit Logistica boosts global trade with new features and stronger international participation
Copefrut celebrates 70 years of sustainable growth
Company presents third sustainability report under GRI standard
Del Monte’s pineapple pathway
Ahead of Fruitnet Tropicals Congress in Antwerp, Thierry Montange highlights the pineapple innovations that are driving growth in the segment – particularly when it comes to the luxury side of the category
Banaclima to boost agricultural management in Costa Rican banana sector
Corbana makes its weather monitoring tool available to growers
The Fresh Ideas Show: Banana drama, Brexit bridge-building, and a bunch of clever Kiwis
Fruitnet’s brand new podcast features exclusive interviews and expert analysis of the big stories in the fruit fresh produce business
Peru’s new agrarian reform law sparks mixed response
Export companies welcome new measures, but critics argue that it prioritises corporate interests over labour rights
Avocados From Colombia completes successful campaign with Weis Markets
Multi-week promotion included display contest, point-of-sale tools and in-store engagement across 200 stores
‘Outdated and misleading’: Ecuador banana exporters refute Global Rights Report
Leading grower and exporter associations issue formal response, arguing report overlooks country’s recent progress
Colombian banana sector on the up
Emerson Aguirre, president of Colombian banana association Augura, shares his outlook for 2025
Comment: Ecuador’s banana industry rejects report on workers’ rights
In a letter addressed to Fruitnet, industry leaders defend labour standards and point to recent social progress
Colombia’s fruit export surge continues
Bananas, avocados, limes and purple passion fruit lead country’s export charge
Positive outlook for Peruvian blues
Country set for further export growth in 2025/26 as plantings continue to increase
New phytosanitary inspection site project approved for Coquimbo
Facility will handle the growing volume of fruit being shipped to US under a systems approach
Banana workers face ‘worsening crisis’, says new report
ITUC’s latest Global Rights Index suggests worker rights have been diminished in various parts of the world
Colombia: unrest hits banana exports
Roadblocks cut off Caribbean coast and prevent fruit from reaching ports
Cherry surge fuels rise in shipments from Chile’s TPS
More than 370,000 tonnes of cherries were exported from the terminal in 2024/25
Fruitnet, IFPA team up to deliver high-powered content at Asia Fruit Logistica’s Peru Meet Up
Fruitnet and IFPA to curate insight-filled content programme at premier international event for Latin America’s fresh produce business
One Banana launches regenerative agriculture pilot
The initiative, in partnership with WWF and Earth University, aims to “lay the groundwork for healthier soils, more resilient ecosystems and a more sustainable global food system”
Brazil improves market access for Argentine fruit
Agriculture ministry officially recognises areas as being free from grapevine moth
Strong start to the year for Ecuadorean banana exports
Shipments up 3.21 per cent in first four months of 2025 according to Acorbanec
Analysis: Peru’s export business is right on trend
Recent poor weather dampened its growth, but overall the country’s export trade remains buoyant, as Wayne Prowse reports
Chilean avo industry launches AI ag management pilot
Chilean Avocado Committee promotes new technology trial with startup Miido
Strong start to the year for Peruvian lime exports
Q1 shipments up 44 per cent in volume and 35 per cent in value
Banana growers unite against gender-based violence
Inter-institutional campaign announced at the the Fifth International Fair Trade Banana Forum
Peru blueberry exports set to grow
Country’s recovery continues following sudden downturn in 2023/24 with a forecast increase in production