Chilean avocado and citrus industry impacted by severe frost

This year’s winter has come to bite hard in Chile as sub-zero temperatures of between -6 and -10 degrees, described as a polar freeze, touched large parts of production areas affecting avocado and citrus trees as well as vegetable production areas. This follows a short and intense period of heavy rain and cold days after unusually higher autumn temperatures according to those based in Chile.

n a statement released by the president of Fedefruta, Jorge Valenzuela Trebilcock, he says they are busy assessing the damage through receiving reports from producers to hear how widespread potential damage to fruit trees and vegetable crops are across the country.

“Testimonies from farmers affected by complicated frosts that have not only spread through various fruit and vegetable production areas, but also that have lasted much longer than normal, generating as yet unquantifiable damage to persistent leafy crops such as avocados, lemons, oranges and tangerines. The frosts have been very prolonged and very extensive in the national territory, so they have not only affected the central and southern areas. We have reports of very hard events for the production of fruit further north, such as citrus and avocados, and we are approaching regional unions to measure the impact of this situation that is developing. In areas such as Chimbarongo, Graneros and Mostazal in the O’Higgins Region, the minimum temperatures exceeded 6 degrees below zero, and frosts lasted more than 12 hours, an extension that is very worrying for fruit trees,” warned Valenzuela.

He says the frost was even worse in San Felipe, Valparaiso Region, where the minimum was 10 degrees below zero. He says producers were fighting through the night to limit the freezing damage. “What we know is that there were producers who had to work all night standing with wind machines to prevent damage. We will continue to register and collect testimonies to help measure the impact, and together with the authorities, come to the aid of the affected farmers,” stated Valenzuela.

While the damage assessment is ongoing the fear is that especially avocado trees will likely be the most affected as the next crop nears in September.