Avocado Output Rising in Chile

WASHINGTON - Dec 5/06 - SNS -- Avocado production in Chile is expected to maintain its moderate upward momentum into the foreseeable future, according to a recent report on the Industry by the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

"There are still a large number of orchards entering their most productive stage. Although the total area planted to avocados has increased significantly during the last few years, industry sources indicate that the rate of increase in planted area is expected to level off," the agricultural attache said.

Production this calendar year is expected to end up around 136,500 metric tons (MT), up from 136,412 last year. There is a chance output in 2007 will reach 145,000 MT as recently planted fields come into production.

Weather also has been favorable during flowering in most producing areas. Future increases in planted area will be mainly in Hass varieties for the export market. Avocado production is sensitive to climactic conditions, particularly to low temperatures during flowering and temperature changes. Weather largely accounted for production variations in the past.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here