Chile's farmers face crop losses and rising produce prices after heavy rains

A frontal weather system that swept Chile last week caused flooding and infrastructure damage in the Limarí region, affecting small‑scale farms and irrigation networks. Farmers report flooded greenhouses, blocked access roads and difficulty harvesting and transporting produce. The Ministry of Agriculture’s regional secretary, Vicente Cortés, said the damage assessment is ongoing and early signs show reduced availability of vegetables.

The Confederación Nacional de Ferias Libres (ASOF), led by Paola Morales, warned that the disruptions could translate into higher prices for fruits and vegetables sold at free markets, which supply millions of Chilean families. Small‑farmers union president Fidel Salinas described water‑logged crops and the need to manually carry produce because roads are impassable. While officials caution that the full impact on national supply and pricing is still being evaluated, the immediate effect is a rise in market prices for several horticultural products.