Competitiveness of Chilean fruit industry at risk

8-12-2025

Increased production and logistics costs, lack of investment in the country's water infrastructure and higher import duties in the US are threatening the international competitiveness of the Chilean fruit sector.

In addition, the Chilean government also wants to introduce a new port tax.

Miguel Canala-Echeverría, managing director of Frutas de Chile, warns that the proposed levy could seriously affect exports. He fears that the new tax will increase the sector's logistics costs by an additional $2.5 million to $3 million per season. Instead, he believes the government should focus on increasing port efficiency. ‘Solutions must be found to make logistics more efficient, and efficiency does not necessarily come from more taxes,’ he noted.

According to Canala-Echeverría, the increase in operating and logistics costs has affected the country's competitiveness compared to its competitors. (Source: Fruchthandel.de)