Browse Data and Analysis

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.

Post forecasts increases in wheat and corn production for the 2022/23 marketing year.

Chile remains the largest South American consumer-oriented market for U.S. exporters. Increasing wealth, lower barriers to entry, and the modern Chilean economy present opportunities for increased agricultural trade as COVID-19 restrictions and social-political tensions ease.

Chile is an open economy with a developed and competitive food industry. Just over half of Chilean food production lands in the domestic market, while 46 percent is exported. Food manufacturers leverage the country’s multiple trade agreements to export Chilean-manufactured processed products to the world.

On February 22, 2022, the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture's Livestock and Agricultural Service modified the testing requirement for U.S. beer shipments to Chile. Beer from the United States will no longer need to be tested upon arrival to Chile.

Chilean producers export 260 thousand metric tons of table grapes to the United States annually. The arid Atacama region accounts for around 15 percent of Chilean area planted in table grapes.

On January 12, 2022, the Chilean Senate approved the modernization of the Water Code after 11 years of debate. The Chilean Water Code is the legislation that controls distribution of the country's water resources.

Chile is the largest market in South America for U.S. consumer-oriented agricultural products. The United States is the second largest supplier of agricultural and related products to Chile, after Argentina.

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 of the Ministry of Agriculture.