Abstract
Chile has become a major actor in the blueberry industry as the most important supplier of off-season fresh fruit for the northern hemisphere. Blueberry exports passed from US$ 30 million (around 4,000 tons) in 2000 to US$ 380 million (94,000 tons) in 2011. The characteristics of the major blueberry growing regions (North, Central, South-central and South) are presented in terms of acreage, varieties, management practices, extension of the harvest season, and soil and climatic conditions. Most fruit is from highbush varieties, picked by hand and exported fresh by boat to United States. Largest proportion of fruit is exported from mid December to late January, which coincides with lowest prices. The south-central region (latitudes 34º50' to 38º15' S) was in 2007 the most important one with 5,075 ha (51.1% of area planted). Among the challenges for the Chilean blueberry industry in the near future are: 1. Lower profitability due to lower rates of currency exchange and higher costs, 2 - Greater scarcity and higher cost of labor, 3.- Need for higher productivity and sustainable production practices, 4- Fruit of high and consistent quality, and 5.- Greater investment in research. As a case study the article presents three approaches that can help identify areas with low availability of labor and improve its efficiency. The article shows the use of geomatic tools to establish labor availability, application of growth regulators to reduce crop load, increase fruit size and improve harvest efficiency, and the use of shakers to harvest fresh fruit for long distance markets. More research is needed to improve yields, reduce costs and give greater economical and ecological sustainability to the Chilean blueberry industry.
Highlights
Chile stretches for over 4,000 km along the southwest coast of South America
In 2011 exports reached US$ 380 million (94,000 tons), of which over 70% was exported as fresh fruit
Four major blueberry growing regions can be established (North, Central, South-central and South). They have a large range of soil and climatic conditions, as well as management practices and varieties used
Summary
Chile stretches for over 4,000 km along the southwest coast of South America. The Andes mountains located on the east side of the country provide irrigation water for the most important fruit producing regions in the country. As with other fruit crops, Chile has become an important producer and exporter of blueberries. In Chile the early ripening table grapes are traditionally produced in this area This zone amounted in 2007 to 3.6% of total area planted to blueberries in Chile (Table 1). Central region (latitudes: 33o10 ́ to 34o50 ́) This area is where the most important traditional fruit crops are grown in Chile (Bañados, 2006). South-Central Region (latitudes: 34o50 ́ to 38o15 ́) This area is the most important blueberry producing region in the country (51.1% of total acreage in 2007; Table 1). South Region (latitudes: 38o15 ́ to 43o40 ́) This zone of the country is where the blueberry industry developed first.
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