Highway Improvement Boosts Chile's Cherry Exports

In the heart of the Maule region in Chile, the transformation of Route 5 - the central highway that runs from north to south through the country - is changing the landscape of cherry exports. Informally known as the "cherry highway", the stretch between Talca and Chillán is now a key route for the Chilean cherry industry, providing faster and more efficient access to global markets, especially China. At the Rodríguez family farm, located alongside Route 5, the shift to high-value crops has borne fruit. "We started exporting cherries to China in 2014. Today, all the cherries we produce are destined for there," says Pablo Rodríguez, general manager of the family business. The orchard, which previously produced corn and tomatoes, employs up to 500 seasonal workers during harvest. The logistics are very precise: harvested cherries must reach cold storage warehouses within three hours and be at the port in time for shipping. This level of efficiency depends on reliable infrastructure. ...