Chile's In-Shell Hazelnut Exports Reach $62 Million in 2025, Ranking Among the World's Top Two Suppliers

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chilean hazelnuts are evolving from a niche crop into one of the most dynamic sectors of the country's agricultural industry. International demand for high-quality nuts and growing recognition of hazelnuts' nutritional value have driven the expansion of planted area and the modernization of production systems.

This growth is reflected in international markets. According to data from Chile's Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (Subrei), Chile now ranks among the world's top two suppliers of in-shell and shelled hazelnuts, a market long dominated by Turkey.

In 2025, Chile's in-shell hazelnut exports reached $62 million, accounting for approximately 28% of global trade volume in this segment. Export growth has been accompanied by expanded planted area, enhanced processing capacity, and sustained strength in international demand.

The industry's expansion has also transformed orchard management practices. Producers are adopting more precise, efficient, and timely operations to boost yields, with mechanization playing an increasingly prominent role in land preparation, inter-row management, weed control, input application, and on-farm transport.

Dercomaq offers a portfolio of agricultural machinery covering a wide range of crop needs, including tractor brands such as Landini, Massey Ferguson, Lovol, and Farmtrac, as well as matching implements for land preparation, spraying, pruning, and harvesting.

For orchard operations, the company provides orchard tractors ranging from 75 to 110 horsepower, available with or without cabs. These machines are specifically designed for inter-row mobility and can perform tasks such as spraying, fertilization, weed control, pruning, shredding of plant residues, and internal transport.

For higher-intensity operations such as land preparation for new plantations, Dercomaq offers tractors up to 425 horsepower, equipped with CVT transmissions and autopilot systems to enhance operational precision, optimize fuel and input usage, and reduce redundant steps in workflows.

Specialized implements are also integrated into operational systems. Spraying equipment enables more uniform application of agrochemicals, while pruning and shredding units are used to process plant residues and keep inter-rows clear, thereby improving efficiency across all stages of operation.

The deployment of specialized machinery shortens operational time and optimizes resource allocation, a critical factor for an industry that must maintain productivity levels to compete in international markets.

The development trajectory of Chilean hazelnuts reflects the broader trend of the country's agriculture transitioning toward technology-driven and efficiency-oriented production systems. In this process, machinery adapted to orchard conditions is becoming a key factor in enhancing the crop's competitiveness, as hazelnuts have already secured a prominent position in Chile's agricultural exports.