The Chilean Blueberry Committee Elects New President
SAN CARLOS, CA - The Board of the Chilean Blueberry Committee unanimously elected Felipe Silva, General Manager of Zurgroup, as its new Committee President. This follows the departure of Felipe Juillerat, formerly of Hortifruit.
“It is a very unique time in the blueberry industry. Not only in Chile, but also across the globe. Changes in international supply are generating different challenges worldwide,” stated Silva in a recent press release. “It is crucial that Chile achieves greater consistency in regard to the arrival condition of our blueberries. There is a new market reality with increased competition, so this is essential. If we don’t continue to raise our standards, it could affect our leading role as a fresh blueberry supplier, a position that we have developed over many years.”
Silva also highlighted both Chile’s food safety and the work being done regarding varietal replacement, which has allowed the Chilean industry to arrive to market with a better quality fruit.
“Chile has a proven food safety record, and we have a product with a spectacular and sweeter taste, so there is great potential for us to be the preferred supplier,” Silva noted. “In order to do this, we must reach new and existing markets with greater product consistency. We must also continue making progress in developing blueberry consumption in different parts of the world. Improvements in supply chains, such as the work undertaken to reduce the transit times to markets like Europe, have been important steps forward".
Silva also explained that the leadership of the Committee is key to advancing the quality and condition of blueberries, as well as the promotional actives and expansion of commercials opportunities for the Chilean blueberry industry.
“As a Committee, we have played an important role in terms of quality, which has been reflected in the quality standard presented by the Committee,” he concluded. “This will enable our industry to better compete with other origins. I look forward to working with the Committee to drive our industry forward.”
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