Blueberry growers in Chile’s Biobío and Ñuble regions continue to strengthen the implementation of the Systems Approach, a phytosanitary protocol that allows fresh blueberries to be exported to the United States without methyl bromide fumigation. In these regions, the protocol is based on managing the risk posed by Lobesia botrana, a quarantine pest.
As part of this effort, the Chilean Blueberry Committee of Frutas de Chile organized two technical workshops, one in Los Ángeles and another in Chillán. According to Frutas de Chile, the events brought together nearly 200 growers, exporters, and fruit industry specialists to review the sanitary and regulatory requirements of the program, with a strong focus on active surveillance, field inspections, and coordination between public and private stakeholders.
Julia Pinto, Technical Manager of the Chilean Blueberry Committee, highlighted the importance of ongoing training, particularly as the area operating under the Systems Approach continues to expand. She emphasized the need for growers to fully understand the protocol’s requirements in order to participate in the program in the Biobío and Ñuble regions.
Paola Fierro, Export Coordinator at the Regional Office of Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) in Biobío, underscored the contribution of the Systems Approach to protecting the region’s phytosanitary status. “All the measures established under the system, such as trapping and surveillance through field inspections, strengthen pest control and help protect our phytosanitary status,” she said.
According to Frutas de Chile, the workshops are part of ongoing efforts to safeguard export fruit and strengthen compliance with the phytosanitary standards required by international markets, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Chile’s blueberry industry.
