Heavy rainfall in Chile on Saturday caused widespread damage to cherry crops, with the industry estimates now putting the national crop at least 15% lower than previously forecast.

The Chilean Fruit Producers Federation (Fedefruta) said the VII (Maule) Region was the hardest hit, receiving up to 43 millimeters (1.7 inches) of rainfall.

It is estimated that now between 25-40% of the fruit in the region is no longer eligible for export due to excessive water content.

The wet weather came soon after Chile had forecast a record rise in exports, with estimated total volumes of between 20-22 million boxes.

The plantations closet to the capital Santiago were said the be the least affected as the last of the fruit was just being harvested, and the area only received around 4-11 millimeters (0.2-0.4 inches) of rain.

Despite the less severe weather, Fedefruta president and cherry producer Cristián Allendes Marín said between 5-10% of the remaining crop has sustained damage.

The situation is far worse further south in the country, where the cherry harvest season was in full swing.

In the VI (O'Higgins) Region - directly below the Metropolitan Region - between 12-30 millimeters (0.5-1.2 inches) of rainfall was recorded and around 20% of the crop is no longer expected to be exported.

A representative of Fruséptima - an organization representing growers in the Maule region - said the industry was still evaluating the situation and the full extent of the damage would be completely clear in a few days' time.

"What we can say at the moment is that the loss will be big, and it will definitely affect the initial projection of 20 million boxes for the season," Fruséptima president Antonio Walker said.

Walker also explained the rain damaged the cherries by osmotic pressure, with water absorbed through the skin and causing the fruit to swell up.

The number of workers in many plantations has now doubled in order to speed up harvests and limit damage.

"During and after the rain we used calcium chloride to strengthen the cell walls," Walker said, adding producers were now applying fungicides to prevent decay.

Around 20 helicopters were also reportedly dispatched to help dry the trees, and fans normally used to frost protection were put back to use.

The blueberry industry is still assessing the damage.

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