Browse Data and Analysis

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post estimates that avocado production will decrease by 18.2 percent from MY 2021/22, totaling 180,000 metric tons (MT) due to frost. Domestic avocado consumption will reach 105,000 MT in MY 2022/23, a five percent increase over MY 2021/22.

This year’s report does not contain significant changes from last year’s report. Chile continues allowing the reproduction of seeds under strict control of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, FAS Santiago estimates that table grape production will decrease by 7.1 percent reaching 732,000 metric tons (MT) and exports will decrease by 7.1 percent, totaling 565,000 metric tons.

In marketing year (MY) 2022, rainfall during the winter was abundant favoring pasture production in the southern regions of Los Lagos and Los Rios. As a result, Chilean production of milk powders increased significantly in recent months, and are expected to remain high during the remainder of the marketing year.

In 2021, consumer food-services sales grew by 42.5 percent, reaching $3.5 billion. In mid-2021, pandemic restrictions began to relax, and restaurants reopened to the public. The Chilean Central Bank estimates a two percent GDP growth in 2022 and a one percent GDP decrease in 2023.

For marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post estimates 165,000 metric tons (MT) of walnut production, a 7.8 percent increase from MY 2021/22 following an increase in area planted and higher yields. Walnut exports are projected at 162,500 MT in-shell basis, which represents a 7.6 percent increase over MY2021/22.

Chilean area planted with cherries is growing consistently and will reach 52,000 hectares in marketing year (MY) 2022/23. Post projects that, due to favorable climatic conditions and abundant rainfall, MY 2022/23 cherry yields will increase. For MY...

Raisin production in Chile relies almost exclusively on table grape production. For marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post projects 61,850 metric tons (MT) of raisin production, a 1.5 percent decrease from MY 2021/22. Raisin exports will total 59,000 MT, a 1.7 percent decrease from MY 2021/22.

In 2021, Chile maintained its position as the top market for U.S. consumer-oriented products in South America, followed by Colombia and Peru. The United States held 14 percent of Chilean market share of consumer-oriented products, shipping $886.4 million.

Salmon is Chile’s largest food and agricultural export and the second largest total export sector after copper. In 2021, exports totaled 615 thousand metric tons worth $4.8 billion. Production is growing rapidly; Chilean salmon production grew an average of 10.4 percent between 2016 and 2020 and totaled 1.1 million metric tons (MMT) in 2020.

Citrus production in Chile increased the past ten marketing years. Lemons and mandarins became a profitable alternative to table grape and avocado producers in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana and O’Higgins. Production of oranges remains relevant, but area planted has not increased as with lemons and mandarins.

In MY2021/22, Post projects that table grape production will increase by 15.2 percent, totaling 760,000 MT and exports will increase by 14.2 percent, totaling 600,000 metric tons. For MY2021/22, Post estimates apple production at 1,036,000 MT a 4.8 percent decrease from MY2020/21 on lower planted area.