Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
>
> > wrote in message
> ...
>> I know that the United States receives quite a lot winter fruits from
>> Chile. I would assume that these supplies will be kept in Chile for
>> the country's own use.


>
> One way to take care of their own people is to export the food and take
> our money to buy what they need. The earthquake may destroy some food in
> a market today, but if the crops are still growing, they can only eat so
> much of the grapes they grow. The rest will be on sale for 99¢ a pound
> and allow them to buy other needed goods.
>
> There may be some interruptions since the airport in Santiago is closed,
> but fishing boats did not get crushed, farmland did not get squashed.
> The fruits will continue to grow. Exporting is on way they take care
> of their people.


In addition to getting foreign currency in trade, exporting the food
provides job at the local level.

gloria p