Extreme weather conditions and a transport strike are threatening the cherry season

Rain and hail have reduced production prospects, particularly for cherries, while the truckers’ strike in San Antonio threatens to cause shipping delays. Both factors are adding uncertainty to production and exports.

The 2026–2027 fruit season is facing two factors that could affect its progress: weather conditions recorded during October and difficulties moving cargo through the port area of San Antonio. Rain, hail and periods of excessive moisture have damaged several crops, while the truckers’ strike continues to restrict access to logistics facilities.

Víctor Catán, president of Fedefruta, warned that the effects of the weather are already visible in several production areas. “Some areas have suffered significant damage from hail. In others, the damage is due to excess water. It will clearly be a challenging season,” he said. The industry leader added that weather forecasts for November and December point to conditions that could continue to concern growers.

From academia, Luis Sáez of the Department of Agricultural Management at the University of Santiago explained that hail can compromise the marketable quality of fruit such as cherries, apples, peaches, grapes, citrus and raspberries. Even when damage is superficial, it can prevent produce from meeting the standards required by export markets.

The specialist also highlighted the effects of moisture and temperature fluctuations on crops. These conditions can encourage fungal growth, flower drop and the deterioration of small fruit. In addition, rain and wind reduce bee activity and, consequently, the chances of adequate pollination.

Flooding poses another risk to production because it reduces the availability of oxygen to the roots. According to Sáez, this can cause flowers and fruit to abort. In the later stages of ripening, water accumulation can also cause fruit cracking, directly affecting quality and suitability for export.

In the O’Higgins Region, Undersecretary of Agriculture Francesco Venezian chaired a meeting of the Regional Agricultural Risk Management Committee (CARGIR), attended by organizations including INDAP, CONAF and SAG. The meeting made it possible to compare reports gathered in the field with weather records, given that hailstorms have caused severe damage on some farms but had no impact on others located a short distance away.

Venezian said that support measures for small-scale farmers, INDAP beneficiaries and medium-sized producers are being assessed. He also reported that coordination is underway with the regional offices of the Economy and Labor ministries to monitor agricultural hiring during the season. As part of the field activities, he visited hail-damaged cherry orchards in the Lo de Lobos area of Rengo.

The outlook for the leading fruit export has also been reviewed by the National Agriculture Society. Its president, Antonio Walker, suggested that cherry production could fall below the industry’s initial estimate. “The estimate was 140 million boxes. I would say we won’t reach that production; I think we’ll be closer to 115 million boxes,” he said in an interview with Radio Pauta. This is the industry leader’s preliminary estimate, not a definitive sector assessment.

Walker explained that hail can cause significant losses, including total losses in some cherry orchards, while rain on ripe fruit can lead to cracking because of the accumulation of sugar and color. The SNA president estimated that the cherry harvest could continue into the first days of January and warned that rainfall in recent weeks has added uncertainty to the production outlook.

Concerns also extend to other crops, including nectarines, peaches and plums. According to Walker, rainfall could have a greater impact on fruit production than on the wine sector. Although rain helps replenish snow, water and aquifer reserves, its intensity and concentration can create difficulties on farms. “Water is welcome, but in this case there was too much of it,” he said.

Production challenges are compounded by the indefinite strike that began on October 28, called by the San Antonio Truck Owners’ Trade Association (Agreporsai). The protest stems from a demand for higher transport rates, which the association considers outdated in light of rising operating costs, and opposition to the installation of new TAG toll gantries on Route 78. The National Confederation of Truck Owners (CNDC) confirmed that the strike was still ongoing on Monday, November 2.

Manuel Araya, an Agreporsai representative, said that cargo-generating companies, including Sitrans, Agunsa and Maersk, remained blocked. According to Araya, the association met with representatives of these companies but received no response that would resolve the dispute. He said that rates for many services remain frozen and do not reflect increases in fuel costs. “In short, we have no concrete answers,” he said.

The cost of diesel is one of the association’s main arguments for seeking an update to transport rates. According to ENAP data, fuel prices rose by 91.5 Chilean pesos per liter from October 22, bringing the increase since late July to 401.4 pesos per liter. For transport operators, this change puts pressure on operating margins when service rates do not reflect rising costs.

The Chilean Maritime and Port Chamber (Camport) reported partial blockades at access points to San Antonio’s logistics and port area. The organization warned that the restrictions could delay container shipments just as the fruit export season begins, as well as affect vessel service windows, supplies and work shifts. In response, it called for normal operations to be restored and institutional dialogue channels to remain open.

Initial information on port activity indicated that STI and DP World continued operating while monitoring access conditions. Empresa Portuaria San Antonio had reported a schedule of 7,800 cargo movements involving the vessels Polar Colombia, Chastine Maersk and CMA CGM Carl Antoine: 3,850 export movements and 3,950 import movements. This figure refers to scheduled operations and does not, by itself, represent the volume of cargo actually affected by the strike.

According to Sáez, fruit that does not meet the quality requirements of overseas markets could be directed to domestic consumption, increasing available supply and potentially moderating prices. This alternative does not offset production losses or the lower volume available for export. Weather conditions and the resolution of the transport dispute will be key to determining the extent of the difficulties facing the season.

Image source: Agenda Logistica

Mauricio Pino
Agenda Logistica

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