Over 80,000 agricultural producers are already benefiting from the Agroseguros program, which now also offers 100% coverage against Fruit Fly for farms up to 50 hectares.
Chile is strengthening its commitment to agricultural protection with new insurance schemes designed to address increasing climatic and phytosanitary risks. Agroseguros, an entity linked to the Production Development Corporation (CORFO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, is expanding its toolbox with a free, collective insurance against the feared Fruit Fly, specifically dedicated to fruit growers with land areas of up to 50 hectares.
Reimbursements are processed within 10 days and are in addition to existing insurance tools against extreme weather events and wildfires.
In recent years, agricultural regions in central and southern Chile have been severely affected by torrential rains, floods, and droughts. In this context, state-subsidized forestry and agricultural insurance programs have proven essential for ensuring the resilience of the sector.
This is also emphasized by Agroseguros' executive director, Alberto Niño de Zepeda: "Affected producers can quickly resume operations, reducing uncertainty and encouraging new investments."
Currently, Chilean fruit growers can access various subsidized insurance options:
According to official data, more than 45,000 fruit growers have already benefited from this new phytosanitary coverage.
For individual contracts, policies can be subscribed through companies such as HDI, Sura, Mapfre, or Renta Nacional, insurance intermediaries, banking institutions (Banco de Chile, Santander, Banco Estado), or directly through regional INDAP offices.
For Fruit Fly insurance, however, Agroseguros itself activates the coverage: farmers need only meet the required criteria, with no further action needed.
The cost of individual coverage varies depending on farm size and crop type, but the government subsidy can cover between 40% and 69% of the premium.
An online simulator allows producers to calculate the available subsidy based on region, species, and crop type.
For Fruit Fly insurance, the policy is completely free.
In the case of Fruit Fly outbreaks, once the destruction of infected fruit is completed, the SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) sends the necessary documentation to Agroseguros.
Agroseguros then forwards the data to the appointed insurance company, which has up to 10 days to process the compensation.
This is a procedure designed to minimize the economic and psychological impact on affected farms.
The implementation of this new collective insurance policy represents an immediate response to the request from Agriculture Minister Ignacia Fernández, who had called for urgent action against the spread of the Fruit Fly.
A strong signal of support for the Chilean fruit industry, which is strategic for the country’s exports and increasingly vulnerable to climate and biological shocks.
Source: diariofruticola.cl
Image source: Eppo
26 Aug 2024
‘It was a very good year. We had a high quality harvest and this was recognised by the market,' commented Aníbal Caminiti, director of CAPCI. ‘At the national level, we can say that we are about to reach 6,000 tonnes of exported cherries.
12 Sep 2024
The 2024 edition of the magazine is almost finished and will be distributed for the first time at Fruit Attraction in Madrid. Don't miss the opportunity to include your company among the magazine's partners and support the development of the sector.
30 Dec 2025
A study from China shows that pre-cooling sweet cherries at 4°C can reduce cracking by over 50%. Cultivars Jiahong and Hongdeng react differently, but both benefit. Physiological and genetic data support the effectiveness of this low-impact postharvest solution.
30 Dec 2025
South Africa is strengthening its cherry industry and aims to access the Chinese market by the 2026/27 season. With earlier harvest times than Chile, expanding planted area, and growing export potential, it could become a key supplier during weeks of limited global availability.
