Chilean government looks into export of fumigation-free grapes to the US

The Chilean Ministry of Agriculture is investigating a systems approach for Chilean grape exports, which would allow for the export of fumigation-free grapes to the US...

The Chilean Ministry of Agriculture is investigating a systems approach for Chilean grape exports, which would allow for the export of fumigation-free grapes to the US. This is currently under review by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The approach would help improve market access from Atacama, Coquimbo and Valparaiso (Chile’s top grape exporting regions).

The aim is to alter the current fumigation requirements, a preventative pest control process used to stop the spread of Grapevine Moth (an agricultural pest which poses a high risk to the fruit if it contaminates). Currently, the process required reduces the quality and shelf life of the fruit, which results in lower prices from retailers and reduced competitiveness on the export market.