Chile blueberry harvest back on track

Chile’s blueberry harvest has returned to a “normal” rythme two weeks after unstable weather conditions delayed activities in the central region of the country, the Chilean Blueberry Committee said in a statement.

As of week 45 the harvest reached an accumulated sum of 576 tons, 66% higher than at the same time last year. Weather conditions have been favorable throughout the growing zone allowing some acceleration of the harvest.

In the northern growing zones of the IV and V Regions the pace of the harvest has increased despite low night temperatures. In Region V the harvest peak should be next week.

In the central growing area around the capital of Santiago the harvest peak is expected for week 48. That same week Regions VII and VIII are expected to produce some 100 tons of fruit as well.

In the south, the fruit is still developing and Duke varieties are expected for the second week of December.

Source: Chilean Blueberry Committee, edited by www.freshfruitportal.com