Some expert claim that the intensity of the La Niña phenomenon will be moderate and its consequences could influence the delay of Chilean harvests by at least two weeks. (This meteorological phase is estimated to last until March 2021.) This all would result in a slight increase in prices.
Luis Muñoz, Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA) meteorologist, explained that: “as has already been observed during September and early October, spring will appear in several places with temperatures lower than normal, mainly on the coast, in relation to minimum and maximum temperatures. , as well as in the valleys, in terms of minimum temperatures.”
The meteorologist emphasizes that “it is not ruled out that heat waves or extreme events of high temperatures are recorded during the summer season, since these are specific situations and are not totally related to a phenomenon (such as La Niña) that modifies meteorological parameters at monthly or quarterly levels.”
Pablo Álvarez, academic from the Department of Agronomy at the University of La Serena and director of the PROMMRA Laboratory, explained that despite being under this phase, it will be of moderate intensity. "Temperatures will decrease below the averages between the spring and summer months, and that will cause agriculture to have a longer period of crop growth," Álvarez told blueberriesconsulting.com.
“What is going to happen is that he is going to travel for two weeks. Harvests will be slightly delayed and not for all species or varieties. Those that are late will continue to be so," Álvarez added.
Another consequence caused by the delay in the development of crops is the increase in water consumption. The director of PROMMRA said that this is due to the fact that as more days are in process, “basically the growth period is lengthened, so there are more days of water demands. But it is compensated with a slight decrease in evaporation,” he concluded.
