With growth of 7,4% in 2024—more than three times the pace of the national economy—the Chilean agricultural sector is positioned as one of the country's most dynamic drivers. Shipments reached USD 13.500 billion, of which USD 9.000 billion corresponds exclusively to fresh fruit.

For this year, the challenge is to improve the quality, uniformity, and condition of the product. The first estimate of Chile Fruits It projects a limited volume of 130 million boxes, which would allow it to focus on more demanding standards and avoid oversupply.

“In fresh fruit, last year we had the cherry problem, which was a major crisis, and we hope to do things much better this year, that is, deliver a more uniform product, of better quality and in better condition. The volume is limited; we already saw the first estimate from Frutas de Chile, which speaks of 130 million boxes. I think it's good that we haven't had such a big jump, so the big challenge is the quality and condition of the fruit.", Walker remarked in conversation with PortalPortuario.

"It's important that the Agricultural and Livestock Service solves its problems, it's important that we control the fruit fly outbreaks, and we hope to have a relatively normal season. The exchange rate is also good, inflation is more controlled, and input prices have also tended to stabilize. So we should have a good season.", Agregó.

Following what happened in the 2024-2025 season, the former Minister of Agriculture emphasized that one of the main lessons to be learned is "The unity of the industry, the unity of the unions. It's extremely important to establish some common minimum standards, some common ground rules. For example, it could mean striving to have a much more homogeneous product in terms of quality and condition, restricting certain sizes to achieve a much better-looking product."

"I think it's incredibly important to have a great-tasting product; we don't like it when the season starts and we see cherry harvests with 14 brix. So, the call to the industry is to unite. The Cherry Committee plays a fundamental role in coordinating, setting the rules so we can comply with them, and I think we need to be a little more disciplined in that regard." complement.

Regarding the tariff issue with United States, the head of the SNA stressed that “Chile has a FTA With the United States, Chile has complied, and they have not. It's a unilateral measure that affects Chile's exports to the United States. It has a significant impact on the profitability of our crops, but Chile is well prepared because it has a broad market portfolio.

"We're present in almost 170 countries, and that makes us more dependent on the world than on the United States, although we always have to protect the United States; it's our second-largest trading partner. It's not good news, but Chile is well prepared in the sense that we've opened up our market in recent years, and that lowers our risk.", Anadio.

When asked about the possibility that the ports of the Bio Bio Region begin to transport the Maule productions to the south abroad and, with this, diversify the export points beyond San Antonio and Valparaíso, the head of the SNA pointed out that "Anything that improves logistics, anything that shortens distances, anything that increases cost efficiency greatly helps this chain develop normally. We don't have one megaport; we have seven ports, and the goal is to modernize those seven ports, so it's within our capabilities.".

Looking ahead to the start of the new export season, Walker said that "We have the packing, the ports, the ships; we have the logistics chain ready. The toughest issue is the fruit fly"It needs to be addressed. There are 40 outbreaks, which is no small feat, given that it's a quarantine pest. We like the plan the Ministry of Security and Agriculture launched called "No More Fruit Flies," because Chile exports trust, and we're working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, which is a good thing."

Finally, it's worth mentioning that the first shipments of Chilean cherries of the season were sent to China between October 14 and 16, but by air. The initial shipment was handled by Global Talsa through Seafrigo Lancargo, while the second shipment was handled by Garcés Fruit.