The losses caused by storms to the table grape sector in Chile's Copiapó Valley have been estimated at more than 50 million dollars.

According to a preliminary report by Patricio Crespo, president of the National Agriculture Society (SNA), over 900 hectares were severely affected by the rains.

Each hectare represents an investment of at least $ 60,000, which would mean losses easily exceeding $ 50 million

"In most cases, we are dealing with hectares that have been completely destroyed by the mud, as well as infrastructure, agricultural machinery and irrigation systems. The severity of the situation is such, that if the hectares that were not reached by the slides are not watered urgently, the losses may reach 100%," points out Crespo, who made a visit to the areas affected together with the president of the Association of Producers and Agricultural exporters of the Copiapó Valley (APECO), Lina Arrieta, and the president of FEDEFRUTA and director of the SNA, Juan Carolus Brown.

Furthermore, the president of the SNA called authorities to accelerate the delivery of resources to growers, giving priority to the recovery of irrigation and groundwater catchment systems.

"We have to rebuild channels, intakes and pipes, repair the irrigation systems, clean wells, and carry out other urgent changes to save the plantations that were not hit by the floods. We are concerned that the necessary resources may not reach producers on time due to bureaucratic difficulties," said Crespo.

Nationally, according to ASOEX, the rains could have caused the loss of some 6.5 million boxes of grapes, and this would put between 18,000 and 20,000 jobs at risk for the coming season.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com