"The Chilean agri-food sector is dynamic and adapts to consumer demands by adding characteristics such as quality, traceability and safety, which have led it to be highly recognised and appreciated on international markets for its innovation and sustainability, further strengthening its global position," reported Felipe Repetto, ProChile's sales manager in Italy.
"All these characteristics are further reinforced by a territory that, thanks to its geography and phytosanitary control policies, allows for a diversified high-quality offer, behind which there are numerous producers, distributors and exporters across the length and breadth of the country."
© Procile
In 2024, Chile exported $21,463 million worth of food products, including $6,639 million worth of fresh fruit and $88 million worth of fresh vegetables. "We are currently the world's leading exporter of cherries (in 2024, we will have exported over $3.1 billion), grapes ($940 million), and fresh plums ($300 million). We are also among the top exporters of walnuts, onions, blackberries, blueberries, kiwis, and strawberries. Apples, avocados, hazelnuts, tangerines and peaches are also part of the large quantity of products we export to the world. Chilean agricultural products are known for their high standards of quality and food safety, as well as for the industry's innovation and sustainable practices."
"Macfrut is the largest fruit and vegetable fair in Italy, and ProChile needs to be present for the third consecutive year, as it is a perfect space to promote the goods and services of agricultural suppliers."
"In order to continue to be one of the leading exporters in the agri-food sector, we also need to provide technologies that foster its development. For this reason, this year's delegation at Macfrut will include representatives from the north of Chile, such as the Arica and Parinacota region, located in a desert area, and the Tarapacá region."
Due to its geography, the agro-industrial development of Arica has been based on the optimisation of resources, water management in particular, and the adaptation to the extreme conditions of the desert. Companies have learnt to adapt to extreme conditions by applying advanced precision farming techniques and climate monitoring systems that optimise production according to local conditions. That is why this region has become an example of the use of technology applied to agricultural production in the middle of the desert, generating an interesting amount of specialised knowledge that can be replicated in different areas of the planet.
"In the Region of Tarapacá, also in the north of Chile, there has been a significant push towards diversification of the production matrix by exploring new opportunities that allow sustainability in agriculture with the production of organic fertilisers, which will be present at Macfrut this year."
Chile's main exports
If we exclude copper and lithium, Chile exported $44,364 million in 2024, mainly to China, the United States, Brazil, and Japan.
"If we focus on Europe, in 2024 Chile increased its exports by 2.3% with $7,033 million, especially to the Netherlands ($1,479 million), Switzerland ($1,023 million), Spain ($861 million), the United Kingdom ($635 million) and Italy ($506 million).
The most popular Chilean products on the Italian market are hazelnuts, walnuts, and kiwis. These results are the fruit of work between the public and private sectors, which has positioned Chile as a reliable and solid trade partner worldwide. We have over 50 trade offices around the world and work with over 5,600 companies, of which 2,547 exported USD 30.9 billion in 2024. This growth reflects Chile's economic resilience and diversification."
For more information:
www.prochile.gob.cl