Fall Creek Farm & Nursery will open a nursery in the Ñuble region of Chile, 400 km south of Santiago, thus consolidating its commitment to the country's blueberry industry.

The nursery, which is under construction and is due to open next year, will be run by Ernesto Pino and is expected to employ some 70 permanent workers.

Fall Creek has played a pivotal role in Chile's blueberry industry since its inception in the early 1980s, introducing the first plantations in collaboration with industry pioneers such as the Zegers, Romero, Mollers and DeBlasis families.

For the past 14 years, the Brazelton family, founders of Fall Creek, have collaborated closely with the Goycoolea family of Grupo Hijuelas and their Stonefly nursery in Chile, providing quality blueberry plants and varieties and supporting blueberry growers and industry. . in Chile.

“Both companies agreed that the time was right for Fall Creek to establish a more active presence in Chile,” Cort Brazelton, co-CEO of Fall Creek, said of the amicable business separation.

“Fall Creek strongly believes in the future of the Chilean industry as a crucial supplier for the supply of high-quality, competitive blueberries during the northern hemisphere winter.

“Maintaining growth while being competitive will take time and investment, we are committed to being present and have great confidence in the potential of the current and future genetics that we will introduce to serve Chile and others around the world. We are grateful to Grupo Hijuelas and Stonefly for their support and look forward to continuing our friendship and collaboration as we transition to this new model of support for the evolving Chilean blueberry industry."

To lead the development of Fall Creek Chile, the company hired Ernesto Pino, an industry professional with 30 years of senior management experience in the production and marketing of fruits and vegetables with national and multinational companies inside and outside Chile.

Recently, he was general director of agricultural projects for Grupo Hansa in Chile and Peru. Previously, he was general manager of Del Monte Fresh Produce Chile and director of supply chain for Vital Berry Marketing, where he lived the Fall Creek experience as a customer. Pino reports to Ricardo Polis, Fall Creek's regional director for South America.