Chile: The challenges in the blueberry industry ... produce more kilos, at the same cost
In the Region of Los Ríos concentrates the greater production of this fruit, being the main exporter worldwide
Antioxidant, low in calories, reduces cholesterol and the development of colon cancer. These are the main reasons that made this product a sales boom in the United States, 30 ago years ago. Today, this fanaticism was joined by China, Europe and also Chile, which has caused the market to grow considerably.
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
In the region of Los Ríos, the first producers began exporting 15 years ago, selling 12 average dollars per kilo of blueberries. Today, the offer grew a lot, so prices stabilized at 3,5 dollars per kilo, much lower than at the beginning, but as producers recognize, it is still a profitable business.
SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS TO PRODUCE MORE
Production costs have risen over the years, which has led this industry to look for solutions to produce more kilos per hectare. In Apicoop, a cooperative strongly linked to bee production, but also dedicated to the export of blueberries, they are working to improve the efficiency and profitability of their hectares. Thus, through the JUNTOS de Fomento Los Ríos program, a committee that makes up Corfo and Sercotec in the region, they were able to finance a large varietal change, which will allow them to increase the kilos per hectare in the short term.
SERCOTEC PROJECT
For Claudio Arriagada, manager of Apiarándanos, the development of the berry crops is very encouraging, despite the threatening climate change. "We, thanks to this project of Sercotec, we are going to go from producing 9 a thousand kilos per hectare, to producing about 25 a thousand kilos"He says. For her part, Marina Riquelme, director of Sercotec Los Ríos, acknowledged the great work that Apicoop has done in its first year of development of the work plan of the JUNTOS program. "They were awarded 31 million pesos in this first stage, where they were able to replant 4 hectares, which will generate a strong increase in their production and the economy of the region", The director said.
MORE PROFESSIONALS MORE RESEARCH
As recognized in Apicoop, the blueberry industry was growing based on trial and error. All research and studies are from abroad, so the experience of international producers take it and apply it to the local reality, which does not always work. "It is necessary that universities do research and that they train professionals specialized in the berries industry. The field a long time ago stopped being just milk and potatoes", Says Arriagada.
CHILE RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE
Chile today is recognized worldwide for being one of the big blueberry exporters, but demand and quality demands have been rising more and more. This makes growth in this industry essential, where if one does not produce 1,000 kilos per hectare, it simply ceases to be a business.
The crops at the country level occupy about 20 thousand hectares, a still low number when compared to the table grape, which stands on the 180 thousand hectares. For the economy of the region it is essential that the blueberry industry continues to grow, because in addition to giving international prestige to the country, it provides a large number of jobs in the summer.
Source: Futrono Diary
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