Costa Rica rejects delivery of Chilean grapes due to mites presence
The phytosanitary authorities of Costa Rica found the so-called “falsa arañita roja de la vid” (Brevipalpus chilensis) in a delivery of grapes in the Port of Caldera at the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Costa Rican authorities decided to return the delivery after the Phytosanitary Service Authority made the respective scientific analysis.

The presence of the Brevipalpus chilensis was of “living insects ”, according to a communication by Manuel Araya, Chief of the Quarantine Station in Caldera.

The plague also affects citrus fruits, for that reason Costa Rican authorities are taking the situation with special care to protect the country’s citrus production. At the moment, there is no official comment by the Chilean authorities.

Costa Rica annually imports us$1.8 million of fresh table grapes from Chile, while exports us$100.5 million on citrus, mainly juices and concentrates.