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Foods From Chile, Source of Life
Foods From Chile, Source of Life
A long sliver of a country in southwestern South America, Chile’s striking, diverse geography never
ceases to surprise. Its bountiful agricultural valleys lie at the foot of the imposing Andes Mountain
Range, looking down on the Pacific Ocean. This long, thin country captivates visitors with its warm,
efficient and enterprising people, as well as with its democratic institutions and stable economy.
A mere 180 km wide on average, Chile is 4,300 km long from the border with Peru on the north to the
Strait of Magellan on the south. Sheltered by the Andes on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west,
Chile is all but impervious to foreign pests and disease.
Chile borders on Peru to the north, Bolivia and Argentina to the east, the South Pole to the south and
the Pacific Ocean to the west. The north is rich in mining and marine resources. Central Chile, home to
the nation’s capital, is a major agricultural and industrial hub. In the south, rich fisheries and forest
resources are managed under stringent conservation and environmental protection standards.
Due to this characteristic, Chile has comparatives and competitive advantages that allow it to produce
food whose quality stands out from its competitors. The potential of Chile in the food industry is so
important to our country, that the agency in charge of promoting the export from Chile in the world,
ProChile, came with the campaign “Foods from Chile, Source of Life” an advocacy campaign that aims to
position Chile as unique origin of food production for the final consumer and for retailers and importers.
The campaign “Foods from Chile, Source of Life”
In an early stage the campaign was focus mainly in United States and to final consumers, because this is
the main export market for Chilean food and drinks. Seafood, fresh fruit, juices and wines are part of the
Chilean supply that today can be found in supermarkets and restaurants around the country.
However, now, we want to expand the reach of the campaign to new markets and to everyone that
works in the supply chain, since importers, to final consumer.
In recent years, Chile has emerged as one of the most important stakeholders in the food industry
worldwide, hoping to be among the top 10 exporters in this sector by 2020 (currently 17th) and also to
establishing itself as one of the few countries in the world where food sector has a high share of GDP,
more than 10%, after New Zealand and Belgium.
All these achievements are due to the commitment of the Chilean public and private sectors that have
managed to position the country as a reliable supplier of safe and innocuous food that meet the
stringent standards required by international markets.
In addition, Chile stands out worldwide as the largest exporter of blueberries, grapes, plums, prunes,
dried apples, trout and Pacific salmon, second largest supplier of avocados, fresh cherries, frozen
raspberries, walnuts and Atlantic salmon, besides having a renowned position for our wines and other
products such as extra virgin olive oil, mineral water, pisco and dried fruits, among others, which make
up part of the wide diversity of our exports which also include functional foods.
To all this is added the efforts as a country in the development of new marketing channels such as
organic products, as well as promotion for specific consumer niches like Muslims and Jews by
developing Halal and Kosher certified supply, respectively.
Finally, in recent years Chile has focused on making brand-specific work for the food industry, such as
fresh fruit, dehydrated products, pisco, salmon, mussels and others, which have been very beneficial for
the promotion of the industry abroad.
Why Chile?
Chile has comparative and competitive advantages that allow it to produce
food whose quality stands out from its competitors.
As for the competitive advantages the following stand out: economic and
political stability of the country that encourages entrepreneurship, the
modern infrastructure and export logistics, use of technology for the
production and processing of various products and compliance with demanding international standards
and certifications, and an extensive network of free trade agreements. All these factors make Chile a
reliable supplier of safe and quality food.
The quality of the food supply produced in Chile has achieved remarkable recognition according to the
latest Global Food Security Index 2013 prepared by The Economist Intelligence Unit, which placed the
country as the leader in Latin America
Chile is currently developing new products with higher added value oriented to niche markets, among
which include gourmet products such as olive oil, seafood delicatessen, and flavored mineral waters,
jams, wine jellies, dehydrated berries and native potato, some types of honey, premium wines, pisco
and microbrews.
During 2013 the total food exports reached USD 15.2 billion. Our main destination markets on the same
period were the United States USD 3.6 billion, Japan USD 1.4 billion and China USD 1.0 million.
It should also be noted that among the most traditional products, Chilean companies are innovating to
add value to its exports, as in the case of the salmon, pork, poultry, beef and sheep industry.
Distance to distribution centers today is not a limitation, since the greenhouse gas emissions related to
the transport of our products is substantially lower than those found in goods produced and sold in
Europe, mainly because 90% of our export is done by sea, which is 3.2 times more efficient than land
transport used within Europe and the United States.
Therefore, the carbon footprint of Chilean products is in general lower than products made and
distributed in Europe or America. ProChile is encouraging companies to measure their carbon footprint,
develop mitigation strategies using that information in marketing plans, thus providing brand value.
In 2013, Chilean food and beverage exports to the world reached USD 15.2 billon.
Countries USD 2009 USD 2010 USD 2011USD 2012 USD 2013 Var. Var. %
'13/'09 13'/09
USA 2.609 2.732 3.120 3.160 3.653 40,0% 1.043
JAPAN 1.260 1.365 1.855 1.754 1.491 18,4% 231
CHINA 227 309 515 769 1.024 350,1% 796
BRAZIL 402 554 622 723 923 129,2% 520
HOLLAND 398 438 551 551 668 67,6% 269
RUSSIA 207 308 351 417 643 209,9% 435
UK 490 541 597 568 583 18,9% 92
MEXICO 448 480 577 513 554 23,5% 105
SOUTH KOREA 240 253 376 408 431 79,6% 191
PERU 238 287 311 302 365 53,3% 127
OTHER 3.761 385 4.747 4.610 4.894 30,1% 1.132
TOTAL 10.286 11.123 13.627 13.781 15.233 48,1% 4.947
Source: ProChile with figures of Chile’s Central Bank
Fruit Industry
In a single decade, Chilean fresh fruit earned a name for itself as a world-
class product. As a result, Chile stands now as the Southern Hemisphere’s
largest shipper of fruit products.
The fruit sector, encompassing over 9,000 growers and exporters, ships to more than 70 markets, mainly
in the United States and Europe. Key products include apples and fresh grapes, which alone account for
over 52 percent of fresh fruit exports. Wide recognition of Chile as a fruit fly-free zone has greatly
expanded the range of export products to other items, notably berries and citrus fruits. The Chilean fruit
industry has invested vast amounts on technology ensuring stringent quality controls. The intent is to
guarantee a product meeting every health, color, flavor, firmness and aroma standard. Technological
improvements have enabled new varieties, earlier crops, and improved quality and shelf life -a critical
factor when products have to travel great distances.
As an exporter country, Chile meets all Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards required by world
markets, as certified by recognized international institutions.
Olive plantations extend from the Azapa Valley on the north to Malleco on
the south. This vast expanse is noted for fertile soils, high degree of sunlight
exposure, and significant nighttime/daytime temperature differentials -
conditions highly conducive to olive cultivation.
During 2013 exports of this product totalized USD 44 million and destination markets were mainly the
United States (USD 16 million), Venezuela (USD 4 million) and Brazil (USD 4 million).
Exports of Chilean olive oil
Wine Industry
While Chileans have been making wine for over 450 years, the export
industry took off only in recent decades. With 3.7 percent of the total, Chile
stands today as the world’s eighth-largest producer and is widely
recognized for the number of its wineries, and most importantly, for the quality of its products. In recent
years Chilean wines have earned numerous accolades at highly prestigious competitions, including the
Decanter World Wine Awards, and the recognition of influential trade publications such as Wine
Spectator.
Chief among factors explaining the remarkable success of the Chilean wine industry are government
policies encouraging investment by prominent domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, a highly trained
workforce, world-class enologists, and cutting-edge facilities.
Growing competition from other beverages and producer countries is the most crucial challenge facing
the industry. Intent on keeping and growing their share based on higher-valued products, in 2002
leading wineries set up Wines of Chile, a trade association charged with designing and implementing
initiatives helping meet this goal.
Chile is now a well-consolidated member of the world wine industry. International acclaim and a
presence throughout leading markets eloquently speak to the industry’s competitiveness and the
consistent quality of its products.
The Chilean wine industry has set an ambitious goal for the coming decade: to become the Number One
producer of sustainable and diverse premium wines from the New World, reaching exports of bottled
wine of US$3 billion by the year 2020.
Wine Exports
Pisco industry
In the late '90s, ProChile started to work with the Pisco Producers
Association, in order to give organized support to the international
promotion. Although pisco does not have the export levels enjoyed
by other drinks, such as wine, it has gradually gained importance
and generated interest in the world. Pisco can take advantage of
the reputation gained by Chilean wines to promote this distilled
product of the same origin.
Pisco is a product that generates a high impact in terms of employment and economic activity, mainly in
the Coquimbo Region. Thus, there are over 3,000 producers of pisco grapes, of which 90% is associated
within cooperatives in this region. In terms of consumption, the production of pisco is intended mostly
for the domestic market, which added to the international trend, creates an opportunity for industry
growth through its position abroad.
The 2020 plan developed by the industry involves all aspects of the pisco industry business plan, going
from diversification of supply to priority market segmentation and strategies.
Pisco Exports
Dairy Industry
Industry products include powdered milk, ripened and fresh cheeses, fluid
milk, butter, yogurt, dulce de leche, cream, desserts, whey powder, and
condensed and evaporated milk.
Chile ships dairy products to over 36 countries, including Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, the United States,
Syria, Cuba, Costa Rica, Guatemala, South Korea, Ecuador, Honduras, and El Salvador.
During 2013, Chile exported USD 219 million in dairy products. The public-private Dairy Product
Exporters Association (ExporLac) helps coordinate efforts to open up new markets, consolidate those
where standing trading arrangements exist, and generally improve access for Chilean products.
The industry plans to keep on serving the domestic market as well as expand into new high-demand
markets such as Japan, Russia, and Algeria. The basis of such expansion is a varied line of quality
products, notably assorted cheeses and powdered, whole, skim and condensed milk especially produced
with health concerns in mind. Chilean dairy producers intend to keep on gaining market share and
serving consumers who value reliable, wholesome, highly nutritional products.
Meat Industry
Chile exports more than 130 lamb, beef and poultry products to over 44
countries. Meat exports reached USD 923 million in 2013.
The efficiency and genetic quality of the Chilean industry easily meet or
exceed First World standards. Chile’s location and geographical features, plus
the concerted efforts of its animal health officials and livestock professionals,
technicians and businesspeople, have helped it attain international
recognition.
Chile is free from all animal diseases in List A of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),
including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). It is also free from the avian flu and has stringent
barriers in place to keep out this and other diseases.
During 2013 the seafood industry exported USD 4,717 million. Destination
markets were mainly the United States, Japan and Brazil.
In addition to an ongoing concern for quality, a key factor contributing to Chilean competitiveness is
private sector and regulator commitment to sustainability, quotas, and temporary bans. Chilean exports
use traceability systems from start to destination. Extensive research has made production growth,
resource diversification and new product creation possible.
Chile stands out for the vastness and variety of its marine resources. Three large fishing zones exist on
its extensive coastline.
Northern species include anchovies, mackerel, sardines and jack mackerel. South-central species include
common hake, shrimp, cuttlefish, and more recently, giant squid. Southern species include common
hake, pink cask-eel, Patagonian whip hake and Chilean croaker, as well as bottom-dwelling resources
such as sea urchins, clams, abalone, and razor clams.
Chilean Seafood products exports