Climate Anomalies Impact Chilean Fruit Production, Raise Concerns for Latin American Agriculture

In a significant development, Chile, a key exporter of fruits in the Southern Hemisphere, is grappling with a substantial reduction in fruit production due to the influence of the El Niño phenomenon. The locally grown grapes, blueberries, and cherries, which annually flood North American and Asian markets, are facing a decline in exports, resulting in financial losses for local farmers.

According to reports from China Central Television (CCTV), Fernando, an environmental ecologist at the University of San Sebastián, stated that this year's fruit production has been adversely affected by the El Niño phenomenon, causing significant financial losses for farmers. It is anticipated that fruit exports will decrease by 20% this year, with cherries and grapes particularly susceptible to severe impacts.

The crisis began in late June when heavy rainfall struck the central and southern regions of Chile, causing floods in more than 50 major rivers and affecting the fruit-producing areas within a radius of over 300 kilometers. Many orchards suffered losses with more than half of fruit trees damaged. As the abnormal weather persisted into November with continuous rainfall, the local fruit cultivation faced additional challenges.

Francisco, the manager of a fruit production company in the O'Higgins Region, emphasized the severe challenges faced by local fruit production during El Niño events, especially for cherries, which have an early harvesting season. He stated, "We need to be particularly cautious about rainfall to minimize the impact on production."

The combination of rain impact, lower temperatures, and insufficient sunlight not only delayed the ripening period of fruits but also led to premature fruit drop. This, in turn, may result in decreased sweetness and individual fruit weight.

To counter the impact of rainfall, some orchards have installed plastic covering devices. Francisco revealed that the company has implemented various technical measures, such as these covering devices, to ensure the quality of fruits even during rainfall. However, the use of such devices increases production costs by approximately 40% compared to open-air cultivation.

Francisco admitted that due to the high costs, these protective devices are not widely adopted, covering only 1/8 of the total orchard area. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that, given the higher latitude of the production area, the cherry harvesting season is relatively late, providing an opportunity to secure a basic yield.

A recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) predicts that the current El Niño phenomenon will persist until at least the first half of 2024, causing abnormal rainfall in Latin America, potentially affecting agriculture.

The report highlights a significant increase in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean in recent months, particularly along the South American coast. The forecast indicates above-average rainfall in Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico in the first quarter of next year, while Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname are expected to experience prolonged drought. Central America is likely to continue facing drought conditions until the end of this year.

The report emphasizes the challenges faced by agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing activities in Latin America due to these abnormal weather patterns. The risks are particularly pronounced for the marine fishing industry, including major fish species such as anchovies and tuna, especially along the northern coast of Peru and the southern region of Ecuador.

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