MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fruit controversy: “Terminator” denies, Chile apologizes

Chile's Ministry of Agriculture and Pro-Chile denied Tuesday that California's governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had called on consumers to abstain from buying Chilean produce and described reports in several Chilean media as “inadequate”.

"We ratify there has been no mention against Chilean fruit or from any other supplier country. This has been ratified in a statement from California's Secretary of Agriculture" points out the official Chilean release.

Chile's Ministry of Agriculture and ProChile regretted the confusion generated by the issue and underlined that Chilean fruit has never competed with US fruit.

"We regret the misinformation surrounding the issue, which has only contributed to generate concern among farmers and exporters, creating an unnecessary uncertainty climate involving a trade partner of great significance as is the United States".

"Chilean fresh fruit and vegetables do not compete, and never have done with those produced in United States, since we belong to different hemispheres. Our produce arrives when United States only has frozen or stored fruit", adds the release.