On December 13, 2017, Deputy Chief of Mission Baxter Hunt and Agricultural Attache Marcela Rondon visited Rucaray cherry packing plant “Los Lirios”and a cherry orchard “Santito” in Rancagua (O’Higgins Region), at the invitation of Fedefrutas (Chilean Fruit Producers Association). Fedefruta’s host delegation included President, Luis Schmidt, General Manager, Juan Carlos Sepulveda, and board member, Domingo Romero.
The United States and Chile have a vast history of collaboration in agriculture. During the visit, the U.S. delegation learned about top-of-the-line U.S. technology being used throughout the production and export process, including fruit varieties developed in California, windmills that control frosting which damages the crops, and machinery used in the packing process. 
The United States imports 34% percent of Chilean fresh fruit exports, making it the largest market for Chilean fresh fruit. The U.S. imported $27.5 million of Chilean cherries during the 2016/2017 season.
