Global Avocado Summit 2026 hears how industry is seeking new commercial opportunities at output grows
Chile is on course to produce 285,000 tonnes of avocados this season, the highest level in 17 years. The increase opens up new opportunities for the sector to strengthen its position in the global market.
The figure was shared at the Global Avocado Summit, organised by Paltas de Chile and the Yentzen Group, which took place in the O’Higgins Region of Chile this week.
During the event, Francisco Contardo, executive president of Paltas de Chile, praised the industry’s ability to adapt to a landscape shaped by climate change and intensifying international competition.
“Despite a highly challenging environment for agriculture, our industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a high level of competitiveness, increasing production through improved agricultural management, technology, and sustainable practices,” he said.
“This has allowed us to maintain consumer preference both in Chile and abroad. Our challenge now is to consolidate what we have built over the years, continue producing more and better, and open up new commercial frontiers.”
Contardo said this performance has been reflected in the results achieved during the last season, when Chile produced 265,000 tonnes of avocados – the largest harvest in 16 years – and exported over 160,000 tonnes worth more than US$430mn. This was the country’s highest export volume since 2009. Currently, Chilean avocados reach nearly 40 markets, with Europe as the primary destination and Argentina firmly established as the second-largest export market, following the Netherlands.
The outlook for the current season points to production growth of nearly 10 per cent, despite a slight reduction in acreage. According to Paltas de Chile, this reflects advancements in efficiency and innovation, as well as the ability of farmers to adapt to new climatic conditions.
Sustainability was another key focus of the gathering. Following seven years of work in this area, the latest Sustainable Impact Report for Chilean avocados – which included responses from 97 per cent of the association’s members – revealed that 100 per cent of the orchards now measure their water consumption, while 79 per cent have established formal goals to reduce it.
The event also provided an opportunity to analyse international business prospects and explore ways to further strengthen the sector’s competitiveness. Participants included Sebastián de la Cuadra, CEO of Avobook; José Antonio Castro Echecopar, president of Peru’s ProHass; and Elir Rojas Calderón, a senior consultant at Cazalac, who discussed market evolution, production challenges, and sustainability. Additionally, Arturo Guerrero (from La Vega Central), Matías Reeves (from the exporter Subsole), and Gabriel Alarcón (general manager of Bagno) took part in a panel dedicated to the Chilean domestic market.
Looking ahead, Paltas de Chile reaffirmed its commitment to continue fostering efficient and sustainable production, while also promoting dialogue with authorities to create conditions that enable the sector’s development and maintain consumer preference – both in Chile, where annual per capita consumption currently stands at 8.9kg, and in international markets.
