CHILE - Fresh Chilean cranberries are finally authorized by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for import into the United States.
“This is wonderful news for Chile’s fresh fruit industry, as it further expands the range of fruit exported to North America, Chile’s largest export market,” commented Ronald Bown, President of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX).
In a statement published on the U.S. Government’s Federal Register, APHIS said that the application of just one or more designated phytosanitary measures would be required to mitigate the risks of introducing or spreading pests or weeds from the introduction of fresh cranberries.
According to a press release, cranberries shipped from Chile to the continental United States are subject to the following phytosanitary measures:
- The cranberries should be imported as commercial consignments only.
- Each consignment of cranberries must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by Chile’s national plant protection organization.
- Each consignment of cranberries is subject to inspection upon arrival at the port of entry to the United States.
“As the largest producer of blueberries in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile has built a strong reputation of providing consistently high quality, great tasting blueberries,” said Andres Armstrong, Executive Director of the Chilean Blueberry Committee. “We look forward to adding cranberries to the mix of berries available from Chile.”
The harvest season for Chilean Cranberries is from March through May.
