Santiago, Chile – Frutas de Chile has applauded the government’s approval of a new phytosanitary inspection facility for agricultural exports to the United States. Located in the Coquimbo Region, the site will be strategically positioned near key shipping ports and directly connected to major fruit-producing areas.

The facility is expected to streamline exports while eliminating the need for methyl bromide fumigation—a critical step in meeting international phytosanitary standards.

Systems Approach Drives Export Growth

Phytosanitary inspections at the point of origin, known as the Systems Approach, have played a pivotal role in expanding Chile’s fruit exports to the US. This method has been particularly beneficial for citrus, avocados, pomegranates, and blueberries. A major milestone was achieved last year when table grapes were included in the system after two decades of negotiations, opening new opportunities for exporters.

However, the growing volume of fruit shipments under this system has placed increasing pressure on Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, SAG), the national plant and animal health authority. Ensuring sufficient inspection capacity has become a key challenge.

Meeting Rising Demand

Jorge Fernández, SAG’s Regional Director, emphasized the need for expanded infrastructure: “We currently inspect nearly five million boxes of fruit annually, but this number continues to rise due to both sector growth and the inclusion of additional products requiring origin inspections. Having adequate facilities is essential to meet this demand.”

Projections indicate that up to 11 million cartons of Coquimbo-grown table grapes could soon undergo inspection for US-bound shipments. Combined with rising citrus exports from the region, this surge will significantly increase the need for Systems Approach inspections in the coming years.

A Boost for Regional Exports

Cristian Sotomayor, a representative of Frutas de Chile, hailed the decision as a major step forward: “This initiative has been eagerly anticipated by the regional fruit industry. It will enhance our inspection capacity for the US market—our primary export destination—while ensuring compliance for all fruit species under the Systems Approach.”

He added that the facility’s near year-round operation will deliver substantial economic benefits, improving commercial conditions and guaranteeing higher-quality fruit for international markets.

Replacing Outdated Infrastructure

The current inspection site in Pan de Azúcar has reached full capacity, with no room for expansion. The new facility will address this bottleneck, providing a modern and scalable solution to support Chile’s thriving agricultural export sector.

With this development, Chile reinforces its position as a leading fruit exporter, ensuring efficient, high-standard shipments to the US and beyond.