During the month of November, and as part of AgroTech Chile, Tierraverde will be present at EtMday 2024, the most important innovation event in Latin America, arriving at a crucial time for Chilean agriculture. With more than 20,000 entrepreneurs and hundreds of organizations gathered, the event will highlight how technology is transforming the national agricultural sector. In the AgroTech area, 50 stands will showcase the latest advancements in climate control technologies, food security, and crop-applied technologies, from frost control and cooling systems to the use of artificial intelligence.
From this, we would like to share with you a different perspective on Chilean agriculture, once famous for being very traditional and static, but which today has become extraordinarily dynamic, with an incredible innovative capacity.
With exports projected at 200,000 tons for the next season, a 33% increase over the previous season, the Chilean Hass avocado becomes a fascinating story, as its evolution story, from its beginnings in 1949 to the present, reflects Chilean agriculture's ability to reinvent itself through technology.
Why the world longs for the Chilean avocado
The international reputation of the Chilean avocado is no coincidence. Like a fine wine, it owes its exceptional characteristics to the unique terroir where it is cultivated. The fertile soils of the Andean foothills, combined with a privileged Mediterranean climate, create perfect conditions to produce fruits with intense flavor and creamy texture that captivate global palates.
This natural advantage is enhanced by cutting-edge agricultural practices. A recent study on the environmental impact of the sector revealed something remarkable: the Chilean avocado industry has managed to significantly optimize its water usage, debunking previous criticisms of its sustainability. This efficiency not only addresses environmental concerns but has become a critical entry requirement in increasingly conscious international markets.
Seasonality also plays in Chile's favor. Its location in the southern hemisphere allows it to supply northern markets during their winter months, when local production halts. This natural synchronization has made the Chilean avocado an indispensable product for maintaining global supply throughout the year.
The revolution of advanced irrigation
Water, as a vital and increasingly scarce resource, has found exemplary use in Chilean fields. The avocado industry has developed three main irrigation systems, each adapted to specific crop needs:
Drip irrigation, preferred in new plantations, distributes water with surgical precision using two drippers per tree. Micro-sprinklers, ideal for established orchards, create a favorable microclimate by distributing water in a fine rain. The microjets complement the offer with a localized irrigation pattern, perfect for young trees and windy areas.
This technical advancement is not limited to basic irrigation. Soil moisture sensors, fertigation systems, and constant monitoring of the hydric status through xylem potential measurement form a technological orchestra that optimizes every drop of water.
The rainbow of Chilean avocado
Although the Hass reigns in the international market with over 99% of exports, the Chilean varietal landscape is surprisingly diverse. The Fuerte, with its characteristic green skin and pear shape, stands out for its adaptability to cold climates. The Negra de La Cruz, a native Chilean variety, demonstrates remarkable resistance to low temperatures.
The palette is completed with the Bacon, marking the start of the season; the Edranol, captivating with its excellent taste; the Zutano, vital in pollination; the Pinkerton, with its distinctive neck; and the Gwen, inheriting the best characteristics of the Hass in a more compact tree.
This genetic diversity, distributed across 36,205 hectares between the V and X Region, represents more than a botanical collection: it is a biological insurance against the challenges of climate change.
Challenging a changing climate
Climate change has transformed the productive map of avocados in Chile. Prolonged drought and rising temperatures have led to a productive exodus towards the south of the country, where water is more abundant but the risk of exposure to frost episodes affecting the year's harvest is much higher.
The numbers tell a story of adaptation: Petorca, once the productive epicenter, saw its plantations reduced from 14,000 to 4,000 hectares in 2020. However, this crisis catalyzed crucial innovations. Water consumption was optimized to reach an average of 8,900 m³/ha/year, a figure that stands out internationally.
The industry responded with a multifaceted strategy: research into resistant varieties, hillside cultivation (which already represents 70% of production), exploration of new productive areas, and pilot projects for the reuse of saline waters through photovoltaic energy.
The architects of the green gold
The sophistication of avocado cultivation has created a new generation of specialized professionals. Agricultural engineers specializing in fruit growing design production strategies, while agricultural technicians execute field practices. Irrigation specialists optimize every drop of water, and researchers develop more resilient varieties. The Chilean Hass Avocado Committee has been a fundamental player in this evolution and sophistication of the industry. Its president, Carmen Gloria Luttges, emphasizes the sustainability stamp that must cross the entire production chain of this precious fruit.
The value chain is completed with post-harvest experts who ensure quality to the final consumer, quality managers who maintain international standards, and international trade specialists who navigate complex global markets.
Digital transformation adds new profiles: data analysts and precision agriculture experts who turn satellite information into agronomic decisions. This professional diversity not only strengthens the industry but creates development opportunities in rural communities. The design and installation of technologies to protect against frost episodes or heatwaves are also key to the success of sustainable orchards.
The sector offers fertile ground for professional development, where cutting-edge technology meets environmental challenges and international projection. It is a dynamic ecosystem that demands constant updating and rewards innovation.
The story of the Chilean avocado is more than a tale of agricultural success: it is a testament to how innovation, sustainability, and human talent can transform a traditional crop into a global benchmark of agricultural excellence.
All these factors have resulted in consumers worldwide, not to mention Chilean consumers themselves, leaning towards incorporating avocados into their homes year-round.
