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 moment for Chilean agriculture. With more than 20,000 entrepreneurs and hundreds of organizations gathered, the event will showcase how technology is transforming the national agricultural sector. In the AgroTech area, 50 stands will display the latest advances in climate control technologies, food safety, and applied cultivation technologies, from frost and cooling control systems to the use of artificial intelligence.
From this, we would like to share with you a different perspective on Chilean agriculture, which was once known for being very traditional and static, but today has become extraordinarily dynamic and, above all, incredibly innovative.
With exports projected at 200,000 tons for the next season, an increase of 33% compared to the previous season, Chilean Hass avocado has become a fascinating story, as its evolution from its beginnings in 1949 to the present reflects the ability of Chilean agriculture to reinvent itself through technology.
Why the world craves Chilean avocados
The international reputation of Chilean avocados is no coincidence. Like fine wine, it owes its exceptional characteristics to the unique terroir where it is grown. 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 significantly optimized its water use, dispelling 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 works 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 essential product to maintain the global supply year-round.
The revolution of technological irrigation
Water, as a vital and increasingly scarce element, found exemplary use in Chilean fields. The avocado industry developed three main irrigation systems, each adapted to the specific needs of the crop:
Drip irrigation, preferred in new plantations, distributes water with surgical precision through two emitters per tree. Micro-sprinklers, ideal for established orchards, create a favorable microclimate by distributing water as a fine rain. Microjets complement the offer with a localized irrigation pattern, perfect for young trees and windy areas.
This technology is not limited to basic irrigation. Soil moisture sensors, fertigation systems, and constant monitoring of the water status through xylem potential measurement form a technological orchestra that optimizes every drop of water.
The rainbow of the Chilean avocado
Although 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 notable resistance to low temperatures.
The palette is completed with the Bacon, which marks the beginning 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 features of the Hass in a more compact tree.
This genetic diversity, distributed over 36,205 hectares between the V and X Region, represents more than just a botanical collection: it is a biological insurance against the challenges of climate change.
Dancing with changing climates
Climate change has transformed the productive map of avocado in Chile. Prolonged drought and rising temperatures have prompted a productive exodus to the south of the country, where water is more abundant but the risk of 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 decrease 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 in international comparison.
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 green gold
The sophistication of avocado cultivation has created a new generation of specialized professionals. Agronomists expertly designing production strategies, while agricultural technicians execute field practices. Irrigation specialists optimize every drop of water, and researchers develop more resistant varieties. The Comité de Palta Hass de Chile has been a fundamental player in this evolution and sophistication of the industry. Its president, Carmen Gloria Luttges, emphasizes the sustainability seal that must cross the entire production chain of this prized fruit.
The value chain is completed with postharvest experts ensuring quality to the final consumer, quality managers maintaining international standards, and international trade specialists navigating 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 demanding constant updates and rewarding 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 reference of agricultural excellence.
All these factors have resulted in consumers around the world, not to mention Chilean consumers themselves, tending to incorporate avocados into their homes throughout the year.
