The Chilean Avocado Industry: An Overview
By: Reuben HofshiDel Rey Avocado Co., Fallbrook, CA
In recent years the presence of Chilean avocados in U.S. markets has become a familiar sight. Most California avocado growers' knowledge of the Chilean avocado industry is limited, although they are familiar with its impact on the U.S. market and on personal harvesting strategies. Inventory reports by the California Avocado Commission and packinghouse faxes are the primary sources of information on the flow of Chilean avocados into the marketplace. This overview is an effort to answer the questions interested growers may have about different aspects of the Chilean avocado industry.
Chilean avocado groves are located in a range of latitudes similar to those in California, but in the Southern Hemisphere. La Serena, the northern limit of the Chilean industry is located at 29º53'S, while the southern limit at Melipilla is at 33º41'S. Contrast this with San Diego, CA at 32º45'N and Cambria in San Luis Obispo county at 35º33'N. Chilean fruit is mature when California is at the transition between the late and early season, from August onward. This unique situation gives the Chilean industry a market well primed by the momentum of California avocado sales. Historically, during this time of the year, demand for California avocados would exceed supplies and prices would rise dramatically. The Chileans recognized this window of opportunity and turned the U.S. into the focus of their avocado exporting efforts.
Propagation of avocado trees at the Huerto California Nursery near Quillota, Chile.
The first significant shipment of 6 million lbs of Chilean avocados arrived in the U.S. in 1986 as the U.S. avocado market, thanks to the CAC merchandising efforts and demographic changes, was in a cycle of growth (Figure 1). After some initial attempts at exporting avocados to the U.S. through the usual produce channels, the Chilean industry quickly learned that the most efficient distribution method was by the same organizations that market California avocados. This shift in marketing strategy provided the Chilean industry an infrastructure and a level of expertise that fostered the current expansion and success of that industry. The close relationship between California and Chilean marketers limited the flow of Chilean avocados to the months they were most needed, from mid-September through mid-December. Constraints of fruit maturity, on both ends of the spectrum, and a lack of dependable transportation have kept Chilean avocados out of the U.S. markets during the remainder of the year. The high returns for Chilean avocados in the U.S., in most years, have been phenomenal by any measure. This golden opportunity has generated a rush for continuous planting of new, predominantly Hass orchards in Chile. This season, the overall production of all varieties in Chile is estimated to be 264 million lbs, of which 176 million lbs will be Hass. The majority of this, 120 million lbs, is being exported to the U.S., amounting to about 95% of the total Chilean avocado exports. Most of these shipments are received and distributed by California handlers associated with one or more Chilean exporters. The exporting companies and their percentage of export volume for the 2001-2002 export season are: Agricom 26.2%, Propal 22.6%, Santa Cruz 17.1%, CabilFrut 13.6% and Safex 5.6%. The remaining 14.9% is distributed among 20-25 other exporters. Readers may recognize some of these names from the PLU stickers on Chilean fruit in supermarkets.
Figure 1. Avocado Exports (all varieties) from Chile to the United States from 1986 to 2000.
Comité de la Palta is the equivalent of the California Avocado Commission ('Palta' is the term for 'avocado' in Chile). It is a private organization formed in 1991 under the sponsorship of the National Federation of Fruit Producers (Fedefruta). It has a Board of Directors composed of 7 producers, 5 marketers and 2 alternates. Ninety-five percent of Chilean avocado exports are made under the umbrella of this organization. In the last few years the Comité de la Palta has been assessing growers approximately 1 cent per lb for all avocados exported to the U.S. by its members. There have been several attempts at joint promotion efforts between CAC and the Comité de la Palta. The voluntary agreement between the two organizations to promote avocados during Fall 2001 demonstrates that alliances between competitors are possible.
Preparation of ridges prior to planting of new avocado grove in Chile.
All producers benefit from a full calendar year perspective, as opposed to fragmented, country specific, seasonal campaigns for promotion programs. Overall, both industries recognize that the existence of the other is a fact of life. An issue that concerns the Chilean industry is the import duty of $1.50 per 25 lb carton levied by the U.S. Government on Chilean avocados entering the U.S. (These funds, over $7 million this season alone, are put in the general government fund and do not help promote avocado sales). They hope that the new trade negotiations between both countries will result in the removal of such duties or at least direct some of these funds towards avocado promotion. Relations are likely to improve as both industries learn to understand each other, and recognize their mutual needs and apprehensions. With closer ties and the similarity of the growing conditions of both countries, closer cooperation on research, technical management, variety development and other mutual interests, could produce a positive synergy between both industries.
Newly planted avocado trees on ridges in Chile.
The current planted acreage of approximately 48,000 acres is comprised of 30% newly planted, nonbearing trees, 40% not yet fully mature with increasing production, 26% mature trees in full production, and 3% older trees with declining production. New trees are being planted at a rate of 2,500 acres per year. It is expected that plantings of new orchards will slow once the industry reaches 50,000 acres of Hass. California currently has 58,227 producing acres and 739 nonbearing acres, with a high percentage of trees over 15 years old and Hass accounts for 95% of the total production.
Chile has the second highest per capita consumption of avocados in the world at 8.5 lbs per person. Chile's population of 15.5 million will consume approximately 130 million lbs of the current year production of all varieties. Due to increased production and the proliferation of exporting companies, there is pressure to expand the shipping period into January, February and even into March. This could be facilitated by the adoption of faster and more efficient transportation, and better postharvest handling techniques. (It usually takes 10-15 days for the 5,435 mile voyage from Valparaiso, Chile to San Diego, California.) One solution for increasing shelf life, and thus the shipping season, is the use of controlled atmosphere (CA) containers where fruit is kept in a controlled environment of reduced oxygen and increased carbon dioxide, similar to longterm apple storage. This may add $0.80 - $1.00 per carton in transportation costs but without CA it would be risky to ship late-season avocados. February - March in Chile is equivalent to August - September in California, a period which, due to maturity and shelf life limitations, is not conducive to long-distance shipping of avocados. Other options are being studied to improve shipping and storage quality. One material that is likely to be used in the future is the simple organic compound, 1-MCP, which is already registered for use on floral and edible products in some countries. Registration for the United States food crop sector is expected in Summer 2002; however, rigorous detailed studies are still required before this material can be commercially applied to avocado. 1-MCP, in quantities of less than 100 parts per billion and under regular refrigeration, can extend avocado shelf life. The compound attaches itself to the ethylene receptors in the avocado fruit and blocks ethylene action, thus delaying fruit ripening.
Avocado production regions of Chile.
Chile is not the only country that exports avocados to the U.S. during this time of the year. Chile, Mexico and New Zealand all have avocados at basically the same time, and the day when supplies may exceed demand is lurking on the horizon. The Chileans are industrious, learn from both success and failure and adapt quickly. They are continually looking for new markets to help dampen the inevitable competition for the market window on which they have focused their efforts. The lack of available alternative markets is a major concern for the Comité de la Palta and all Chilean marketers. One option is the development of the European market by the Chilean industry. Europe has been neglected mainly due to the higher prices that can be obtained in the U.S.. Peru, which cannot export avocados to the U.S. due to the Mediterranean fruit fly, is also targeting the European avocado market. In 1999 it exported close to 2 million lbs of quality Hass avocados to Europe. Not withstanding the Peruvian competition, which could become significant if increased domestic and imported U.S. volume causes prices to decline, Europe could become a viable, alternative market. Another alternative could be Japan, but it is a small market and Chile would face competition from New Zealand and Mexico. These two markets are marginal options for Chile since the transit time to Europe and Japan is approximately 30 days. Such long transit would require optimum pre- and post-harvest management and the use of expensive CA containers. It is possible, but very risky and costly. The major foreign competition for Chile, particularly in the U.S. during its traditional exporting months, is Mexico. With a high domestic consumption and a tendency for alternate bearing, Mexico is not always a consistent source of fruit. The Chileans, though watchful and concerned, no longer feel threatened by the Mexican presence. The reality is that Chile's natural export market is the U.S. and that it will likely remain the principal market in the future. In the meanwhile the Chilean avocado industry is experiencing a boom. Average FOB prices for the 2000-2001 season were $22 per lug. This season is likely to produce average FOB returns greater than $24.
Hass avocado trees planted on ridges sloping downhill in Chile.
In the long term, the Chilean Hass industry is hoping to find an important market alternative in South America, especially in Argentina. This option has been long contemplated, and test shipments have been made to that country. The high prices obtained in other markets, coupled with the economic problems and informal way of doing business in Argentina, have limited the development of this market. Compared with Chilean avocado consumption, Argentines consume a little more than 0.5 lb per capita. With the population of metropolitan Buenos Aires and suburbs approaching 13 million, it is obvious that the growth potential of this market is enormous. Although Argentina, Peru and South Africa are in the same hemisphere as Chile, their avocado harvest seasons are different from Chile's and thus they complement each other. The availability of fruit throughout the year is a critical component in developing a new market. If suppliers such as Peru, South Africa, the small Argentine avocado industry, and Chile could share the marketing and development effort, the potential exists for a strong market in Argentina.
Hass avocado trees planted on ridges going downhill in Chile.
Current returns to Chilean growers for domestic avocado sales range from $0.36 to $0.40 per lb for fruit over 6 ounces. The Chilean market, however, can absorb only a certain volume with the current per capita consumption rate and distribution system. The Comité de la Palta, which is currently only an exporting organization, is contemplating marketing Hass avocados in Chile. An important step for increasing consumption in Chile is price moderation for consumers. This could be achieved by making the supply chain more efficient with more rational margins for all the middlemen involved.
During April-June the demand for Hass avocados in Chile exceeds local supplies. California avocados were previously prohibited from Chile. Regulations have recently changed and export to Chile is now permitted. The fruit must meet certain phytosanitary requirements prior to embarkation.
GROWING REGIONSAvocados have been grown in Chile since the mid 1800's with the initial seeds thought to have come from Peru. Roger Magdhal first brought the Hass avocado to Chile in 1935, three years after it was patented in California. The expansion of Chilean avocado plantings began, as in California, in areas where good soils, favorable climate and quality water were abundant. Today many new plantings are on marginal soils, often on hillsides, with poor water quality of limited availability, and the potential for occasional freezes. Prior to the initiation of exports to the U.S., the avocado varietal composition in Chile was diverse, with Hass, Fuerte, Negra de La Cruz, and Bacon as the dominant varieties. Today, 75% of the avocado trees in Chile are Hass. Edranol, Bacon and Zutano are used as pollinizers while Negra de La Cruz, which is a popular, late season Chilean selection, is grown for local consumption.
There are three major avocado growing regions in Chile, which are presented in order from north to south.
I. The river basins of the Petorca and La Ligua rivers.This region is the area with the most significant new plantings and represents 35% of the total Hass plantings in Chile. Hass is the main variety grown in this region. Edranol is the main pollinizer variety although Zutano and Bacon are also used as pollinizers to a lesser extent. These river basins, which cross Chile from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean, vary in their climatic conditions as a function of their proximity to the coast. The areas of La Ligua and Longotoma, which have the greatest marine influence, have a dry, cloudy summer with an average relative humidity around 70% and average temperatures of 61ºF. In the inland valleys, where the marine influence is reduced, the average temperatures are 72-74ºF, and the average relative humidity is 45%. Average annual rainfall is 6-8 inches for the region.
Irrigation water comes from two rivers that flow above ground only intermittently. Water availability is a limiting factor since the mountains supplying these valleys are not as extensive and are not as high as other ranges that provide water for agriculture in Chile. Therefore, 95% of the groves are irrigated using either shallow or deep wells. Almost all growers irrigate via pressurized irrigation with a preference for microsprinklers. Water quality is good, with electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.4 decisiemens/meter (dS/m) (Colorado River water, in contrast, is 0.9 - 1.0 dS/m) with a pH slightly above neutral (7.2-7.5). Even though soil quality and climatic conditions can be outstanding for growing avocados, these areas are probably near their maximum potential for planting. In case of a drought in Chile, these valleys are likely to be the most affected since the water supply will deplete quickly.
There are 2 dominant soil types:
A) Light alluvial sandy alkaline soils (pH greater than 8) which are deep, poor in organic matter content and contain large quantities of rocks. The rocks help drainage and help maintain high soil temperatures.
B) Marine deposits are the dominant soils of the hillsides. They are not uniform, but are generally poor, thin, alkaline and often affected by high levels of carbonates. They are clay soils with low organic matter content. Generally, groves on hillsides are planted on ridges, sometimes running up and down the hill in a north-south direction when possible.
II. The Aconcagua ValleyThe Aconcagua River provides good quality irrigation water (EC 0.7 dS/m) with low sodium and chloride to this traditional capital of avocado and citrus growing. Like the Petorca - La Ligua basins, the Aconcagua basin represents 35% of the Chilean Hass plantings. Some of the well-known localities for avocado growing in Chile are Panquehue, Llay-Llay, Hijuelas, La Cruz and Quillota. Many of Chile's nurseries are located in this zone, including the Magdahl family's renowned Huerto California Nursery. This region has also experienced a large expansion of new plantings, mainly on hillsides since the flat land was already planted to avocado and other crops. Most of the old irrigation systems (flood or furrow) have been converted to pressurized systems, with microsprinklers as the preferred emitter. The valley soils are deep sedimentary of alluvial origin. Soil texture is light clay with clay substrate deeper in the profile. There are gravel and stones within the soil that has moderate permeability and organic matter content of 1 - 1.25%. Hillside soils are granitic in origin, are poor, with mild to heavy clay, and have an organic matter content of 0.5 - 0.75%. Average summer relative humidity is 55-60% and average annual rainfall is 16.9 inches. Average annual temperatures are 60ºF with the maximum temperature around 80ºF and minimum around 42ºF.
Hass avocado plantings near Quillota, Chile.
This region is extensive and includes the metropolitan region of Chile's capital, Santiago, and the area south of Santiago. It represents approximately 15% of the total Chilean Hass plantings. Well-known localities are Mallarauco, Naltagua and Melipilla by the Maipo and Mapocho rivers and the localities of Peumo - Las Cabras by the Cachapoal River. New plantings in this zone are also extensive but more limited due to lower average temperatures and the high potential for freeze. As in California, growers minimize their risk by planting on hillsides where cold air can flow to lower elevations. This area has dry summers with warm temperatures (95ºF maximum) and cold (as low as 23ºF), wet winters with annual rainfall averaging 29-31 inches. Water quality of the Maipo and Mapocho rivers is poor. The water is hard, alkaline, with a pH near 8 and EC greater than 1.2 dS/m. There are many groves, especially in the vicinity of Mallarauco, with severe tip-burn and poor production. The region of the Cachapoal River is less affected by salinity (water EC is 0.6 dS/m). There is abundant water and drought rarely occurs. Many growers in this region still irrigate by flood irrigation although plantings, especially on hillsides, use pressurized systems. The soils are generally deep, consisting of light to moderate clay with about 1.5% organic matter content. Hillside soils are variable in quality, thin, poor, and shallow, with moderate to heavy clay content. Average summer relative humidity for both valleys is 76-77%. Average annual temperatures are 57ºF.
IV. Other regions.In the last few years, there have been limited new plantings in additional locations such as the interior portions of the 3 regions discussed above as well as the Ovalle and La Serena valleys, which are located 150 to 200 miles north of Santiago. These new and limited production zones, where summer fruit and grapes have traditionally been grown, have higher temperatures and fruit is harvested 1 to 2 months earlier than the in coastal areas. In La Serena there are dramatic temperature and humidity differences between the coastal area and the not too-distant interior valleys. All these marginal areas represent about 10% of the total Hass plantings in Chile.
PESTS AND DISEASESChile is blessed with having only a few pests and diseases. Red Spider mite (Oligonychus yothersi) is controlled by application of oil or wettable sulfur. Miticides are used only during severe infestations. Thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) are left alone and are only controlled during severe infestations by mineral oils and Chlorpyrifos. A characteristic of the avocado production in Chile, which unfortunately was lost in California due to the introduction of the Persea mite (Oligonychus perseae), and the avocado thrips (Scirtothrips persea), is the limited use of chemical pesticides. Most of the products used are oils, soaps and sulfur. Growers often leave control of possible pests to natural predators and Integrated Pest Managment (IPM) strategies. Although Chile is geographically isolated, there have been several finds of Mediterranean fruit fly over the years. The source of the fruit fly infestation is thought to be either Argentina or Peru. These finds forced fruit to be quarantined in a manner similar to the event that took place in Ventura, CA in 1997 -1998.
The occurrence of root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) is limited and is much less severe than in California. The reason for this is thought to be the fungicidal effect of high copper content in the soils and, to a limited extent, in the irrigation water. This is one of the reasons clonal rootstocks are not used in Chile. Where root rot does exist, the use of low concentrations (less than 1%) of buffered phosphorus acid applied as a foliar and trunk spray is recommended.
There is little to no rain during the harvesting months in Chile and postharvest decays are substantially lower, and often almost non-existent, when compared to growing areas with high rainfall such as Australia and New Zealand.
THE CHILEAN AVOCADO GROVE AND CULTURAL PRACTICESThe following discussion represents the majority of the relatively young Chilean avocado orchards. Most of the trees in Chile are grown either on Mexícola seedling rootstock or, more recently in areas of poor water quality, on Nabal, which is thought to be salt tolerant. In the last few years, in response to pollination studies conducted by students at the Catholic University of Valparaiso, the variety Edranol has become the preferred 'B' type pollinizer variety. The Chilean advisors recommend 11% of the total planting to be planted to pollinizers. What is unusual about Edranol is that, although a well-liked fruit, it produces very little if any fruit but flowers profusely in Chile, every year; it is planted strictly for pollination purposes. There is a lesson to be learned by California avocado growers who have been struggling with which variety of 'B' flower trees to plant. The Chilean argument is that Edranol is such a good pollinizer that the increased production of the surrounding Hass trees more than compensates for the Edranol's lack of productivity. In California, the search for replacement to the traditional pollinizer varieties by Hass-like varieties is somewhat misdirected. The foremost purpose of a pollinizer variety is to do the best job providing abundant quality pollen. Zutano, and to a lesser extent Bacon, are well suited to do the job!
To assist in pollination, honey bees are introduced to the groves at the recommended rate of 4 beehives per acre. A third of the colonies are brought prior to or at the initiation of bloom and the rest during peak bloom. Recently, a service providing bumblebees for pollination was introduced in Chile, but the costbenefit remains questionable.
Planting, canopy management and production costs.Land prices vary depending on the location and on the potential for future residential or commercial development. In well-suited avocado areas, land prices can range from $2,800 to $12,000 per acre. Hillsides, where generally mostly avocados are grown, can cost $400 to $1,800 per acre, depending on water availability and pumping requirements. An irrigation system with microsprinklers costs between $1,200 and $1,600 per acre. Non-clonal nursery grown trees cost about $4 each. The irrigation system and the trees normally constitute 50 to 70% of the total cost of planting a new orchard. By the fourth year, when commercial harvest commences, a grower with a 25-acre grove will have invested around $4,000 per acre.
The normal planting density for Hass is 20 x 20 ft with an additional tree on the diagonal, which is later removed. Other plantings are at 10 x 20 ft. Some progressive growers plant in a high density of 10 x 10 ft spacing and girdle 1-2 branches in the second year. Due to mild temperatures and appropriate fertilization regimes, trees don't grow as fast as in California and such densities can be maintained for a few years, especially when careful irrigation and well-monitored and balanced fertilizer regimes are practiced. Recent hillside plantings are mostly on ridges that are 20 ft apart, approximately 6 ft wide at the base, sloped to a height of 4-5 ft, and are about 2 ft wide at the top. The trees are planted either 13 ft or 20 ft apart. The ridges sometimes run down the hillside, preferably in a north-south orientation for better light interception, for better water and air drainage, and concentration of the thin topsoil, which is gathered at the top of the ridges. Pressure-compensating microsprinklers are used to maintain a high level of distribution uniformity for these unique irrigation systems. The production costs per acre in Chile are between $500 and $850 per year. This includes water, energy, general labor, harvest, pruning, and all other direct costs. Two important factors affecting production costs are the size of the orchard and the slope of the terrain. Labor accounts for 50 to 60% of the costs, and fertilizers and energy, mainly for pumping water, account for 10% each. The harvest is performed by local farm labor hired by the grower. Harvest cost is $0.009 (0.9 cents per lb). The minimum wage in Chile, including associated costs and benefits, is $6 per day for basic labor. Chilean growing conditions are less stressful to the Hass avocado than the conditions in most growing areas in California. In general, good-quality mature orchards produce an average of 10-12,000 lbs per-acre, per-year. There are orchards, in areas with ideal climatic conditions during flowering and fruit set, with sustained average production exceeding 20,000 lbs per acre.
Tree pruning and canopy management.
This is a new concept with which Chilean growers are experimenting. One advantage they have over
California growers is the availability of plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as Sunny, Cultar and NAA, which have proven to be extremely effective in Chile and elsewhere (Australia, Israel, South Africa) in improving productivity and the control of canopy size and shape. These materials are very expensive and are not used routinely in Chile. (The CAC Production Research Committee is currently funding Dr. Carol Lovatt to establish efficacy data on new PGRs such as Apogee, a likely candidate to be permitted for use on avocados.)
Irrigation.
Because of the Mediterranean climate
and the lack of adequate rain between
August and May, irrigation is a must.
Many of the older commercial groves
have converted from canal irrigation to
pressurized systems. Modern irrigation
is managed mainly through two
systems: evaporation pans (or
computerized weather stations that
indicate evapotranspiration) and
tensiometers. Tensiometers are used to
control and monitor this program and
to indicate the irrigation needs during
winter. Ideally, growers try to use both
systems. The Chilean grower prefers to
vary the irrigation frequency and keep
the duration of the irrigation event
constant. It is common, when
microsprinklers are used, to irrigate
every 5 to 12 days during the dry
summer. Drip irrigation is sometimes
used during the first year after planting
to provide better control of the amount
of water and fertilizer each tree
receives and for more efficient weed
control. Normally by the second year
the drip system is converted to
microsprinklers. There are some
plantings that use drip irrigation, based
on the recommendation of foreign
Overview of fruit grading using HACCP guidelines at Safex Packinghouse
near Quillota, Chile.
continued on page 10
consultants (mainly from Israel), but
prolonged use of drip irrigation is not
common. The use of microjets, which
have a more limited and focused
throw, has increased due to higher
density planting and the use of ridges
for planting on hillsides. Currently,
new research is being conducted
utilizing pulse irrigation systems, which
provide several pulses of irrigation
water per day. Water requirements are
monitored by dendrometers that
measure the diurnal fluctuation of the
girth of the trunk, limbs and leaves.
One important difference between
avocado production expenses of
California and Chile is the cost of
irrigation water. In the Quillota area
(Aconcagua basin) for example, water
cost is not higher than $50 per-acre,
per-year. Water availability and water
quality are much more important to
the Chilean avocado grower. In
California, although water quality has
been an important issue, the cost of the
irrigation water is the most critical. In
areas with salinity problems the
irrigation volumes are increased by 20
to 30% to provide leaching and to
prevent the accumulation of salts in the
soil. Soil variability and the availability
of reliable weather data are important
issues for growers, especially when
marginal soils and poor-quality water
are used. Francisco Gardiazabal has
been conducting a study to establish
new crop coefficients (Kc) for Chile.
Table 1 lists the currently used crop
coefficients (as compared to those we
use in California) and his proposed
new values.
Fertilization.
Fertilizer application is primarily
limited to nitrogen (N) and potassium
(K), although minor amounts of boron
and zinc are also applied. The general
rate of application is 100-175 lbs of
actual N per acre. The use of K is
controversial. Some advisors,
influenced by Spanish researchers, do
not recommend the addition of any K,
while others recommend 35-53
lbs/acre in the form of potassium
nitrate. Zinc, in the form of zinc sulfate,
is applied at the rate of 18-22 lbs/acre
and boron in the form of boric acid is
applied at the rate of 35-70 lbs/acre.
Often, especially in alkaline soils, the
total application of these
micronutrients is buried in shallow
holes at the four corners of the tree or
in a band along the drip line. Most
Chilean avocado growers have leaf
analyses performed annually, while
soils are analyzed less frequently.
Organic production.
Organic production has been slow to
take hold and is constrained by certain
limitations. Even though the pest
pressure in avocado orchards in Chile
is low and the use of pesticides is
limited, the main limiting factor is the
availability of a good and reliable
source of organic nitrogen. The cost of
organic fertilizers, which are always in
high demand for use in avocado
orchards and in other crops, in
addition to the transportation and
handling costs of large volumes of
manures and other bulk organic
products, limit the adoption of organic
farming.
The Chilean educational system.
The Chilean educational system is
superb, producing many professionals
with an uncanny determination to
work hard, learn, and excel. The
Catholic University of Valparaiso is
where the majority of the subtropical
fruit research is conducted. Under the
watchful eyes of Francisco
Gardiazabal, their major professor,
students are required to produce after
graduating from college a significant,
albeit one year in length, research
project, and a final report in order to
receive their degree in Agronomy.
These works are well designed and executed, and include a
comprehensive literature review of the
subject and statistical analysis. In the
last 10 years the research, which is very
pragmatic in nature, has been
concentrated on subjects such as
avocado phenology under Chilean
conditions, nutrition and fertilization,
irrigation, pruning, tree manipulation
with growth regulators and girdling,
the use of honey bees and other
insects, fruit set and the selection and
use of pollinizers, and the evaluations
of new varieties from local and
international sources. This practical
approach to research is enhanced by
the participation of technical people
and advisors who are close to the
grower community and to the industry.
The research activities are not funded
by the industry and financial support is
available mainly through the initiative
and vision of individuals within the
industry. An unfortunate problem with
the research performed in Chile is that
the results are not published in any
national publication. These valuable
studies are only available in the library
of the universities where the research
was conducted. This author has
requested those with access to these
works to post summaries in Spanish or
English on an accessible web page.
Some representative summaries of the
research these young agronomists
conducted may be presented in future
issues of AvoResearch.
Consulting and information
dissemination.
In Chile, a system of technical
consulting and advising has been
established as part of the duties of the
field personnel of the fruit exporting
companies. The growers have accepted
this service as an integral and
important part of the service the
exporting companies provide. These
technical consultants are mostly
agronomists who have specialized as
field representatives and who also
provide technical assistance for each
type of exported fruit. This system is
beneficial to the growers and also helps
the exporters, at least in theory, predict
and control the volume, size, and
quality of fruit they ship. In addition,
and often in place of company
agronomists, many large growers use
independent consultants/farm advisors,
to help them with the technical aspects
of their groves. These consultants are
highly trained, well traveled, and have
intimate knowledge of international
avocado research and cultural
practices. Some growers who employ
private consultants believe that it is
difficult for the field representatives,
although well trained, to be up-to-date
in the technical management aspects of
their orchards. The crop is valuable
and an educated opinion from a
different perspective is good insurance.
There is no extension service or
government-sponsored farm advisor
service in Chile. (In recent years,
foreign advisers have begun consulting
and setting up trial plots in Chile.
These arrangements are expensive and
are often limited only to growers
associated with certain exporting
companies. Sharing of experiences and
specific information dissemination is
more difficult under these
circumstances.) The basic primer in
Chile has been the book titled 'Cultivo
del Palto' (Cultivating the Avocado), by
F. Gardiazabal and G. Rosenberg,
1990. This book, even today, is a fine
compilation of information gathered
from around the world but with a
Chilean perspective.
Growers under the umbrella of the Comité de la Palta are provided with one important meeting per year in which political, strategic, and technical issues are discussed. There are also seminars organized from time to time by various organizations, mainly concentrating on the technical aspects of growing avocados. Otherwise, there are very few organized industry-wide meetings such as those held in California. Some exporting companies have held growers meetings, inviting foreign experts for well-attended seminars, and some have taken important growers to visit other avocado industries. A large number of Chilean growers attend international avocado events, such as the World Avocado Congress. The Chilean industry is, for the most part, open and transparent, a trait learned from the openness and generosity of other industries such as Australia, Israel, South Africa, Spain and the U.S..
Fruit packing and grading utilizing HACCP standards at Safex Packinghouse near Quillota, Chile.
Quality assurance and
food safety.
Walking into a modern avocado
packinghouse in Chile is an experience
in sanitary discipline we should all
learn from. Most growers and
exporters in Chile are getting involved
in a program developed by the
Chilean Export Association (ASOEX)
known as "BPA" (Buenas Prácticas
Agrícolas), which means Best
Agricultural Practices. This program's
objective is to assure sanitary quality of
the fruit, environmental conservation,
product traceability, and worker safety
for both field workers and handling
personnel. Additionally, most of the
packinghouses have international
inspectors to certify quality assurance
practices. USDA-APHIS inspects the
Chilean avocados before embarkation
and issues a phytosanitary certificate.
Upon arrival at destinations in the
U.S., USDA will again inspect the
fruit. The inspectors use the Florida
Avocado Standards (a federal standard)
to ascertain that the fruit meets
minimum quality standards. California
Department of Food and Agriculture
(CDFA), during the early part of the
export season, tests fruit arriving in
California to insure that the fruit meets
California's minimum maturity
standards. Measuring dry matter
content of the fruit 2 to 3 weeks after
harvest is questionable. Implementing a standardized testing protocol that is easy to use, similar to the one
being developed currently in California, could entice the Chilean
industry to officially test fruit destined for export to the U.S. prior
to shipment. The most popular food safety program is called
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), which is an
internationally recognized food safety methodology that provides
the framework for hazard identification and control. Some
progressive companies have implemented this program and are
contemplating the implementation of an ISO (International
Organization for Standardization) protocol. ISO sets out the
methods that can be implemented in an organization to assure that
the customers' requirements are fully met. The organization's
requirements will be met both internally and externally and at an
optimum cost, resulting in efficient utilization of the resources
available, including material, people, and technology. The Chilean
avocado industry is export-oriented and is quick to implement
requirements and standards requested by importers, especially
those with strict standards such as Europe and Japan. Soon the
California avocado industry will be called upon to do the same,
and the sooner we begin working on this trek as an industry, the
better it will be for all of us. Various packinghouses in California
have been experimenting with different quality assurance
programs. Initial steps were recently taken by CAC when it created
a new Quality Task Force chaired by Roger Essick. The mission of
this taskforce is to examine all aspects of fruit quality and fruit
safety from the tree to the consumer.
Overview of fruit grading using HACCP guidelines at Safex Packinghouse near Quillota, Chile.
One can only be amazed at the progress achieved by the Chilean avocado industry in the last 10 years, in the level of modernization, innovation, and rapid adaptability to new techniques. Everyone participates in the changes that benefit the industry as a whole although the industry is fragmented. The Chilean growers are capitalistic and are as secretive as any California grower, but they have a common denominator - they recognize and continually work on improving the industry in all its aspects for the benefit and profitability of the industry as a whole.
Acknowledgements
The following people in Chile provided valuable information and critical reviews of
this article:
Enrique Espinosa Pavez, avocado grower
Francisco Mena, Soc. Gardiazabal y Magdahl Ltda.
Christian Magdahl, Exportadora SAFEX
Jamie Busquet, Exportadora Santa Cruz
Jaun Pablo Cerda, Cabilfruit