“Our mission is to ensure that the product meets the phytosanitary requirements demanded by the destination countries carrying out a thorough work at all the stages of the production chain to dismiss the presence of any agent that may affect the good health status of our country, which enables us to export these products and many other crops”, the Regional Manager of the SAG, Jorge Oltra, explained.

The inspection process carried out by the SAG has a duration of approximately seven months, ending with a certification that states that the bulbs meet the pest-free requirements demanded by the destination countries, e.g. Globodera rostochiensis and the tobacco ringspot virus. With this certification, the bulbs gain access to international markets such as China, Japan, United States, Holland, Australia, Colombia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Taiwan and Mexico.

In 2016, Chile expects to export 53 million lilium bulbs and 16 million tulip bulbs grown in the region of Los Ríos.

“In our region, the SAG certifies 40% of all the bulbs grown in Chile. This sector has great importance for the regional and national economy, because it generates employment and contributes significantly to the development of the forestry and farming sector”, the Regional Ministerial Representative of Agriculture, Claudia Lopetegui, pointed out.

The phytosanitary inspection starts with the registration of varieties, then soil samples are taken, field inspections are carried out to detect the presence of virus and fungi, and finally the packing process is checked to verify that the bulbs are not rotten or do not carry soil.

Source: Hortibiz – edited and translated by Daltry D. Gárate