Chile, with shipments close to 700,000 tons, is the main exporter in the southern hemisphere and apples currently rank third in terms of fruit export earnings, behind cherries and table grapes.
Due to the introduction of the new varieties of Gala, Fuji and Braeburn groups, the area had a significant increase since the 2000s. However, the area began to decrease from 2013 with 36,678 ha to the current 32,314 ha (Source: Ciren-Odepa/ IQonsulting).
As a consequence of warming and droughts, as well as more frequent late frosts, the apples of the Central Zone have suffered significant losses due to sunburn, as well as physiological disorders such as lenticelosis, bitter pit and superficial scald, along with accelerated ripening with less time to harvest and reduction in storage potential.
As a consequence, the productive zone gradually moved south from the mid-1990s, mainly to two macro-zones: Los Angeles – Angol and Traiguén – Freire.
The Galas, Fujis and Cripps Pink varieties adapted well in the Angol area, while in Traiguén-Freire the Braeburn, Elstar, Honeycrisp, Evelina, Jazz, Ambrosia and even Galas (although small in size) adapted better. It should be remembered that in cool climates in more mountainous locations such as Malleco and further north they also had a reasonable adaptation, but in this case with a much higher risk of hail and spring frosts.
The most notable trend is the growth of the Cripps Pink/Pink Lady Group and the decline of the Braeburn variety.