Although recent two-day strikes in several key Chilean ports have come to an end, fears remain that renewed action could take place over the coming days. 

The National Association of Customs Officials (ANEF) carried out industrial action on Nov. 25 and 26 at ports along the breadth of the country, after failed round table talks over pay between the government and public sector representatives.

The ANEF announced an end to the strikes late on Nov. 26 and said normal work would resume, but damage had already been caused to the agricultural industry as phytosanitary certificates had not been signed over the two-day period.

Ports affected included Valparaiso, Coquimbo in the north of the country, and Coronel and Chacabuco in the south.

Chilean Cherry Committee president Cristian Tagle said although the industrial action was relatively limited, there would be ripple effects over the coming weeks.

"The issue of strikes by workers is still uncertain. By the end of yesterday [Nov. 26] we had been almost completely paralyzed for two days - they weren't signing phytosanitary certificates, and on Tuesday evening they started work again," Tagle told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"To be honest this issue really depends on the government. They are claiming they have insufficient income, and because of that the workers might go back on strike. It is out of the fruit industry's hands.

Tagle said that for now port activities were 'relatively normal', but the entire export sector had been notably affected.

"Undoubtedly there were problems. There was cargo that was ready to be shipped on Monday and Tuesday, and so the fruit would have been damaged somewhat. So we've had damage and also a loss of credibility in our markets," he said.

"What's going on is very delicate, and every exporter is going to suffer the consequences - not just for fruit, but other industries like salmon. The congestion affects everyone."

He added it was common for there to be some level of congestion at this time of the year as the summer export season was getting fully underway, but the strikes had exacerbated matters.

As volumes are set to only increase over the next couple of weeks, Tangle said the consequences would be felt for a while to come.

Blueberries

Chilean Blueberry Committee executive director Andres Armstrong had a more positive view of the situation, saying everything would be back to normal soon despite some minor delays.

"This week we are expecting big volumes of blueberries. Undoubtedly the strikes delayed a small number of shipments, but we expect to be able to remedy the situation now the strikes have ended," he told www.freshfruitportal.com.

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