All measures are being taken to protect workers and the work, as is appropriate during harvest time and the summer period. Table grapes, stone fruits and blueberries are being harvested this week, when extreme temperatures are being seen, and in areas towards the south they could even exceed 40 degrees.
Fruit producers linked to regional associations and Fedefruta are keeping an eye on their farms in response to the heat wave alert that is being experienced these days, with temperatures in valleys in the central area, such as Maule, expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius, and exceeding 40 degrees from Ñuble to the south, reaching 43 in Chillán.
Currently, early and mid-season grapes are being harvested in the central and northern areas, along with stone fruit in the Metropolitan and O'Higgins regions, while further south, work is focused on blueberries.
The president of Fedefruta, Jorge Valenzuela, comments that fruit growers, prior to the temperature peaks, have implemented agronomic management measures such as the use of protective nets, sunscreens, and clays to reduce evapotranspiration. In addition, "Irrigation frequencies and times are being monitored very carefully until this heat wave subsides.«.
More importantly, the leader noted that “Work schedules are being adjusted to avoid people's exposure during all the hottest and most radiated times of the day, prioritizing indoor work, and considering each of the measures regarding risk prevention.”.
The union will keep everyone informed about the impact of this exceptional heat wave, which has already caused a red alert in O'Higgins, Nuble and Araucanía, so the call is to take extreme care to avoid tragedies and protect people's health.
