Sebastián Ochoa, international blueberry consultant and director of CASM Blueberries, conducted a technical visit to three blueberry farms located in north-central Chile, where he evaluated the phenological stage and productive development of different projects.
The tour began in Putaendo, in the Valparaíso Region, where he visited a Prize blueberry farm featuring 16 hectares of Sekoya Pop. Nicolás Kusch, Blueberry Project Manager at Prize and responsible for the Putaendo and Quillota operations, explained that the project is fully developed under greenhouse conditions and utilizes a hydroponic production system.
“The plants are currently in the bud differentiation and floral induction stage, and we are well on track to achieve this season’s objectives,” Kusch noted.
During the visit, Ochoa highlighted the orchard’s overall excellent condition. “The field has a very good fruit load, and there is already some fruit set. We are now entering a challenging period due to the risk of frost, so maintaining proper management will be essential to ensure successful pollination and adequate fruit development. The orchard is in excellent condition, with a strong crop load and all operations being carried out very well,” he commented.
Subsequently, the consultant visited Prize’s blueberry farm in Quillota, an approximately 11.8-hectare Sekoya Pop project grown in containers. There, he assessed the condition of the plants and noted that the phenological stages were similar to those observed in Putaendo.
The tour concluded at the farms of Agrícola Alessandrini in La Calera, Valparaíso Region. The project consists of 30 hectares of hydroponic production under macrotunnels and protective netting. “At this farm, we grow the OZblu varieties Magnifica, Bonita, and Magica. We are currently entering the flowering stage and completing the vegetative growth phase. The plants show excellent development and a very strong fruit load,” Ochoa explained.
The consultant added that floral induction has progressed successfully. “We are already beginning to introduce bumblebees and honeybees for the pollination process, and we expect to start harvesting around August,” he noted.
Regarding the overall condition of the orchards visited and the outlook for the industry in the country, Ochoa stated that, “Chile is looking very promising. Both Sekoya Pop and OZblu have shown excellent development and are at similar phenological stages, so we are very pleased with what we are seeing.”
