Jorge Valenzuela: “(In Chile) the connection between the unions works very well”

Jorge Valenzuela: "(In Chile) the connection between the unions works super well"

We spoke with the leader of Fedefruta about the future of Chilean fresh fruit exports and the state of the blueberry industry.

07/11/2022

Sitting on stage with two former agriculture ministers, Jorge Valenzuela looks comfortable. The more than 4 years that he has been president of the Federation of Fruit Producers of Chile (Fedefruta) is notable, in addition to his long history participating in the field both on behalf of trade associations and working in the private world. His experience in the sector was manifested during the discussion panel "Challenges of Agriculture in the changing world scenario", held at the Agrotrade 2022 event organized by the Chilean Nursery Association.

The advancement of new varieties, the modernization of agriculture, the use of resources and the logistics of the production chain were the topics that were discussed, especially given the difficulties experienced in the last two fresh fruit export seasons.

The main objective is to remain competitive and organize industry participants to find solutions that can relieve producers of different fruits.

“I celebrate the Blueberry and Cherry Express. They are the ways to be able to correct this, ”she stated. These are charter services that will arrive directly to the United States from ports near the points of greatest production in the country.

The initiative was managed by trade associations such as the Chilean Blueberry Committee, representatives of one of the Chilean exports most affected by the extension of the time it takes to transport the fruit to its destination. During the trip, the condition of the harvested blueberries was lost, lowering their price and often being rejected for sale.

The rise in production costs during the pandemic plus the situation explained above put pressure on the profitability of Chilean producers.

“It was a difficult year for blueberries. Among the unions we have already spent many months in workshops, now with the government as well, on how to mitigate this, because it is not going to be overcome overnight. There are quite a few corrective measures that I think will work,” Valenzuela explained.

Among the solutions, he mentioned improving the logistics chain after the harvest, having more trucks that have an efficient connection with the ports so as not to lose the cold chain. In addition, the organization is promoting a law that seeks to prioritize the shipment of perishable products in Chilean ports.

The representative is positive about the challenges of blueberries in Chile. “I think there is still life. There are possibilities that we must rethink and rethink”, he mentioned, and then explained how varietal availability to grow in different climates can become an advantage to compete during new commercial windows. In addition, he highlighted the growth of frozen products and the importance of seeking to improve efficiency in the production process.

Water management in drought

“The water crisis is something structural. Not because it rained a little more than in other seasons, this is going to be solved”, is the first sentence that Jorge Valenzuela said when asked about the projections of the water status in the Chilean basins.

The country has been in a drought for more than 10 years. Even so, during last winter, the rain exceeded the expectations of farmers already accustomed to the decrease of this resource, even though the fallen millimeters do not exceed the levels expected for a "normal" winter.

“I think that the conversation about the reservoir megaprojects is already dead. Socially and from the point of view of investment, it does not speak with the times. But there are alternatives, such as smaller reservoirs, which are much more practical: they have a lower environmental and social impact, and water can also be redistributed”, he assured.

The president of Fedefruta highlighted the importance of precision agriculture as another measure to improve water management. “Incorporating technology into efficiency is something super important. In order to have precision agriculture, you need to have a good connectivity network, have monitoring stations that occupy the Internet,” Valenzuela warned.

Regarding the digitization of agriculture in Chile, he commented: “It is happening but very slowly. The theme is to educate and train; that is the challenge that comes now”.

During the interview, Jorge Valenzuela was concerned to highlight the importance of what is currently being discussed in Congress: the extension of Law 18.450, which provides state financing for water works to encourage investment in these constructions. The committed amounts are delivered once the approved project is completed.

However, some politicians, academics and leaders disagree with the law after finding its extension time irrational (originally 12 years) and not having measures that protect ecosystems such as wetlands, considered of great importance to stop climate change.

“Some want to end it, but it is the only alternative we have to continue on the issue of efficiency. Therefore, the call is not to repeal it, but to perfect it. That it be more inclusive of the different sizes of producers, but not to end it," Valenzuela said.

Sustainability

"We are in a change that is directly related to being much more efficient with natural resources, particularly water, which is what hurts us the most," said the president of Fedefruta.

The climatic footprint left by agricultural production is a major concern in the most important Chilean fruit markets. Even within the country, the increase in the vegan diet and sustainable initiatives allow us to infer the growth of interest in this subject when making a purchase.

Jorge Valenzuela highlighted how Fedefruta is investigating sustainable practices in Chilean agriculture since, in his opinion, there are many that are already being carried out but they are not being notified and reported accordingly.

“(For example) technical irrigation, something as obvious as that, in which we manage to make 80-85% of the water more efficient. Today you come to orchards and they have native flowers that they have planted to be a reservoir for bees and other species. We are in a diagnostic stage, to see what things we do that are really effective in the line of sustainability”, he explained.

Regarding the investment that adopting sustainable practices may imply, Jorge Valenzuela concluded: “One suddenly believes that they are million-dollar investments and the truth is that they are simple things that one can do. Therefore, all farmers who do sustainable things, no matter their size, should show them and share them.”