Frost Hits Limarí, Chile, Damaging Vegetable Crops and Farm Jobs

Severe frost events in Chile's Limarí region have damaged temperature‑sensitive crops such as tomatoes, chilies, green beans, Italian squash and other vegetables. Farmers report up to 70% loss in some fields, with only beans showing limited survival. The damage extends beyond producers, threatening seasonal agricultural labor that many rural families depend on.

Local agrarian leaders warned that the frost compounds existing challenges—drought, high production costs and limited access to protective measures like thermal nets or greenhouse infrastructure. Smallholders also expressed uncertainty about the availability and coverage of state‑provided agricultural insurance, fearing many will be left exposed to future climate shocks.