Chilean Avocado Industry
Palta Hass - Comité de Paltas
The Chilean Avocado

The area planted with avocado trees, especially the Hass variety, has experienced an important growth in the last few years, due mainly to its great success in both national and export markets, as well as its ability to adapt to the natural conditions in which it is found.

The avocado plantations in Chile extend from La Serena, in the North, to the small town of Peumo, in the South. They cover an area of over 29 thousand hectares, 26 of which belong to the Hass variety, making up 90% of the total area.

The Chilean Ministry of Agriculture, endorses the exportation of its phytohealth aspects through its technical organization named Service of Agriculture and Cattle – S.A.G.. This is a division of renowned prestige on an international level, andparticipates in revisions in conjunction with similar organizations of the United States and Japan.
The Hass Avocado


In the 2000/2001 season, the harvest of the Hass avocado surpassed 70 million kilograms, of which more than 52 million were exported,representing 74% of the total produced.
With the entrance into full production of the newest orchards, during 2004/2005 the production reached 180 million kilograms.75%of this ,or 135 million kilograms, corresponded to Exports. This means that in four seasons the production increased by 157% and Exports by 170%.Last season’s production was not so high as 2004/2005, with 145 million kilograms, of which 73% were Exports. The reason for this decrease could be related with to aspecific characteristic of the Hass variety called “añerismo”. This is a a cyclic volume production; after a very high production season, comes a lower one.

The high performance reached by the orchards of Chilean avocados is due, among other reasons, to the zones where the plantations are located. They have very favorable weather conditions for its development, with a low frequency of frosts, warm climates and adequate relative humidity.

Production is destined for the national market as well as  exportation.. In the latter, its main destination is the United States, but also goes to England, Spain, France, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Japan and Argentina.

The type of container used for exporting the Hass avocado is standardized in a net weight of 11,2 Kg. (25 Lbs.). However, the industry is prepared to adapt to other requirements.

In its non-restricted support to the environment, there is a great concern regarding the use of containers and packaging materials that are 100% recyclable, in order to facilitate reuse in the places of destination.
Solid Leadership Position



Chile has achieved a sustained economic development in the last two decades, which has been reflected in the Gross National Product, GNP, whose average annual growth has bordered 6.0%.

As a result of these elevated annual growth rates, Chile currently takes part in the some of the most important economic cooperation processes aroundthe world. In addition to its participation in the A.P.E.C. forum, of which Chile became a member in 1994, it is today an adjunct partner of the MERCOSUR and has free trade agreements with the EU and nations such as the USA, Korea, and China among others.

The great diversity of products that Chile exports have destinations in more than 70 markets in the Five Continents.However, nearly 70% of the fresh fruit shipments are sent to North America and Europe.

There is a permanent dedication among the exporting sector toconsolidate current markets and open new ones. In this sense, the health of Chilean vegetables and the quality of its products, allows Chile to have, among its most recent destinations and with wide possibilities of expansion, the demanding Asian market.

In order to permanently maintain and increase the exportations, entrepreneurs of different production areas constantly go on trips around the world in search of training and information, in order to be aware of the latest needs of the markets by being out on the field. With this, a dynamic and constantly evolving industry is achieved, one that is capable of successfully satisfyingthe most sophisticated tastes of any corner of the planet.

The great entrepreneurial dedication as well as the active participation of a labor force that is more specialized each day, combined with the application of top notch technologies in the different areas of productiona system of roads and ports in fast development, and one of the most modern telecommunication networks of the world, has allowed Chile to face even the most  demanding markets of the world with singular success.

Chilean Fruit Cultivation

During the last decade, the Chilean exports have shown an important increase. The shipments of vegetables and fruits has transformed development with its  growth.

The main varieties of commercial  fruits are table grapes, apples, kiwis, pears, peaches, nectarines, prunes and avocados. Due to the great diversity and volumes that are exported, Chile has become the main exporter of fruits of the Southern Hemisphere.

The most productive zones are located between the Third and Eighth regions, although there are also crops extending to the Tenth region. These are constituted by valleys that provide a wide diversity of fruits, thanks to the different climates,morphological and hydrographic richness of such zones.