PEAR PRODUCTION IN CHILE: SITUATION AND TRENDS

Abstract

Pear production is concentrated in the central zone of the country (32o-36°33’ S), under temperate climatic conditions. Pear is the fifth largest fruit crop in the Chilean export basket, representing 5% of the planted area of fruit trees (approximately 10 000 ha), 200 000 t of total production in 2003 and a 60% packout for the export market, valued at US $65 207 000. Chile’s pear exports comprise 7% of the world’s pear exports and 22% of the Southern Hemisphere’s exports (average for the years 2001-2002). Fruit is exported mostly to Europe, USA and Latin America. However, because of lower crop profitability, the planted area and total yield have been decreasing since 1991 to an estimated 7 700 ha for the 2003/2004 season, of which 94% are European pear and 95% are mature, bearing orchards. The main cultivar has been ‘Packham’s Triumph’, which represented 55% of the total Chilean pears exported in 2003, followed by ‘Beurre Bosc’ (11%) and other minor cultivars such as ‘Coscia’, ‘Abate Fetel’, ‘D’Anjou’ and ‘Bartlett’. The main problems facing commercial pear production in Chile are low orchard productivity, poor precocity and some quality problems that are being detected in the export market. The aim of this study was to analyse the pear production in Chile, in terms of evolution of the planted area, cultivars and technical management aspects. INTRODUCTION The Chilean fruit industry has developed strongly over the past 30 years. It is characterised by a great diversity of species and varieties and there has been a rapid increase in the fruit exports. In 2001-2002 Chile had approximately 7% of the world’s pear exports and 22% of the Southern Hemisphere’s exports (FAOSTAT, 2003; ODEPA, 2004). Pears are the fifth largest fruit crop in the Chilean export market, planted area covers approximately 10 000 ha, representing 5% of the planted area of fruit trees, and in 2003 the total production was about 200 000 t, comprising an output of 60% for the export market, valued in US$ 65 207 000 (CIREN-ODEPA, 2004; ODEPA, 2004). However, due to low international pear prices and orchard productivity, crop profitability has declined. As a result, ever since 1991, pear cultivation, in terms of planted area has decreased. The aim of this study was to analyse the pear production in Chile, in terms of planted area, varieties and technical management aspects.