Fruitful Countries: Chile And Bolivia's Agricultural Comparison

Chile and Bolivia are two countries in South America with varying capacities for fruit production. Chile, the second-longest country in the world, stretching over 4,300 kilometres, boasts a diverse climate and a long history of fruit cultivation. It is recognised as one of the world's leading suppliers of fresh fruit, exporting over 2.6 million tons of fruit annually to more than 100 countries. On the other hand, Bolivia, a landlocked country in the centre of South America, has its own unique geographical characteristics and agricultural capabilities. In this context, the question arises: which of these two countries, Chile or Bolivia, produces more fruit?

Chile's fruit-growing regions

Chile is the second-longest country in the world, stretching over 4,300 kilometres (2,600 miles). This means that it can supply a wide variety of fruits over a long period, with harvesting beginning in the north and continuing southward. Chile's diverse climates range from the world's driest desert in the north to the Patagonia ice fields in the south. This, combined with its long history of fruit cultivation, makes Chile one of the world's top suppliers of fresh fruit.

The Central Valley, which extends through the Maule region, is known for its large, wide valleys ideal for growing high-quality fruit. The region experiences abundant rainfall and foggy summer mornings, which are perfect conditions for apples, kiwifruits, pears, and berries. The colder climate and wider temperature fluctuations in this region also ensure that the fruit has excellent colour.

The main fruit-growing region in Chile extends from La Serena (30°15' S) to Concepción (36°50'S). In 2007, Chile had 308,445 hectares of fruit orchards, with table grapes, avocados, and apples being the most important species. Chile is the largest fruit exporter in the Southern Hemisphere and the leading exporter of table grapes worldwide.

Chile's unique geographical conditions, combined with its expertise in fruit cultivation, have made it a global leader in the supply of fresh fruit. The country's diverse climates and long growing season allow for an extended harvest period, supplying a wide range of fruits to markets around the world.

Chile's fruit exports

Chile is recognised as one of the world's leading suppliers of fresh fruit and exports more than 2.6 million tons of fresh fruit annually to over 100 countries. The country has a long history of growing fruit and boasts seven different climates, from desert to Mediterranean to subtropical, which facilitates the supply of many fruits all year round.

The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) is a non-profit entity that represents 96% of all fresh fruit exported from the country. According to ASOEX, Chile exported 1,839,723 metric tons of fresh fruit during the 2020/21 production season, a 0.3% increase from the previous year. The top exported fruits from Chile during this period were table grapes, accounting for 28.7% of the total export volume, followed by cherries (19.2%), apples (17%), plums (6.6%), blueberries (6.4%), pears (4.4%), nectarines (3.9%), avocados (3.9%) and oranges (3.4%).

In terms of export markets, Asia has become Chile's top destination for fruit exports, surpassing the United States. During the 2020/21 season, Asia accounted for 37.8% of Chile's fresh fruit exports, while the United States represented 26.8%. Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Canada are also significant export markets for Chilean fruit.

The Chilean government has implemented various strategies to support the fruit industry, including free-trade agreements and minimal tariff access to multiple global markets. The industry has also benefited from investments driven by increased earnings from exports and high returns from certain fruits, such as blueberries, grapes, and avocados.

Overall, Chile's fruit exports are a significant contributor to the global market, with the country being the largest fruit exporter in the Southern Hemisphere and a premier supplier of fresh fruit worldwide.

Bolivia's fruit-growing regions

Bolivia's ecological biodiversity means that it is home to a wide range of unique edible plant life. The country's most productive farmers are those who cultivate the fertile plains of the lowlands, especially in the department of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz's rise to prominence can be attributed to infrastructure improvements in the 1950s, land reform, and colonization.

In the late 1980s, Bolivia produced a variety of fruits, including oranges, limes, grapes, apples, quince, papayas, peaches, plums, cherries, figs, avocados, pineapples, strawberries, bananas, and plantains. Most of these fruits were grown for local consumption.

One of the most popular fruits in Bolivia is the tumbo, also known as the "banana passionfruit". Shaped like an elongated egg, its interior resembles a passion fruit with black seeds covered in slimy orange pulp. It is commonly made into a refreshing and slightly acidic drink.

Another fruit in the passion fruit family is the maracuya, which has yellow-ish slimy seeds encased in a thick, round shell. It can be made into a juice or eaten ripe. Its seeds can also be used in jellies, pies, or fruit salads.

The granadilla is often mistaken for maracuya due to its similar exterior shape and size. However, its internal seeds have a transparent mucous-like covering, giving them a gray appearance. With a sweeter and less acidic flavor, it can be eaten straight from the shell.

The achachairú, or Bolivian mangosteen, is a small, bright orange fruit with a white, fleshy interior and a large seed. Its sweet and bitter taste with a semi-acidic flavour makes it perfect for juicing or eating raw.

The lima has been described as a cross between a lemon and a lime. It is typically consumed as a lemonade-like juice in Bolivian homes.

Lastly, the tamarillo, also known as the vine or tree tomato, is a strange fruit that looks like an egg-shaped tomato and ranges in colour from vibrant orange-red to deep maroon. The inner fruit and seeds are sweet and tangy, and the tamarillo is used in jellies, desserts, salads, stews, and juices, or can be eaten fresh.

Bolivia's fruit exports

Bolivia produces more than 1 million tons of fruit annually. In 2014-2015, the country produced over 1 million tons of agricultural products, including bananas, peaches, tangerines, oranges, pineapples, and grapes. Bolivia exported 142,000 tons of fresh fruits, worth approximately $45.8 million. The main export destinations were Argentina, France, Mexico, Uruguay, and the Netherlands. However, Bolivia only exports 14% of its fresh fruits, with the majority of its production being consumed domestically.

Bolivia's potential in the global fruit market is significant, but the country faces challenges in meeting quality and quantity requirements to be more competitive in export markets. According to Steven Magariños Terrazas, a specialist in markets from the IBCE, Bolivia has the potential to supply fresh fruit to the world, but improvements are needed to meet export standards.

One challenge to increasing fruit exports is phytosanitary export limitations. Noe Moron, president of the Federation of Horticulturists and Fruit Growers of Santa Cruz (Fedehfrut), stated that producers face barriers in exporting their products due to phytosanitary issues in neighboring countries. This results in most of the fruit production being sold domestically.

In addition to fresh fruits, Bolivia also exports processed fruit products. For example, the country has a well-established beer industry that utilizes barley grown in the highland regions.

Agricultural production, including fruit cultivation, plays an important role in the Bolivian economy. In the late 1980s, agricultural production accounted for approximately 23% of GDP, and the sector employed about 46% of the country's labor force. However, the sector faces structural obstacles, such as a lack of infrastructure and technology, that hinder its growth and ability to compete globally.

Comparison of fruit yields

Chile is recognised as one of the world's leading suppliers of fresh fruit. It is one of the largest fruit exporters in the world, sending more than 2.6 million tons of fruit annually to over 100 countries. Chile's long shape means it has a range of climates, from the world's driest desert in the north to the Patagonia ice fields in the south, which facilitates the supply of many fruits for a longer period of time.

Bolivia, meanwhile, is not mentioned in any of the sources as a major producer or exporter of fruit.

Chile's fruit exports include blueberries, grapes, stone fruit, apples, pears, kiwifruit, and citrus. The country's counter-seasonal harvest means that it can provide fresh fruit to the rest of the world all year round. For example, cherries, blueberries, grapes, and stone fruit are available in winter, while citrus and kiwifruit are available in summer.

While it is not possible to give a direct comparison of fruit yields between the two countries, it is clear that Chile produces and exports far more fruit than Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions