ISHS Acta Horticulturae 724: IX International Symposium on the Processing Tomato
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PROCESSING TOMATO PRODUCTION IN CHILE |
| Authors: | G. Saavedra Del R., M. Escaff G., D. Cortacáns P., C. Ruiz-Tagle |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicon esculentum, mechanisation, production |
| Abstract:
Processing tomatoes occupy approximately 8 to 9% of the total area available for vegetable production in Chile, and all are grown under contract. Three processing companies are located in Chile, one is Iansafrut. The production area under contract to Iansafrut has fluctuated from 13,000 hectares during the 1999/2000 season to the lowest value of 7,600 hectares during the 2001/2002 season, but annually there has been an average of 10,000 hectares. The average yield has increased each year. The national average yield is currently around 70 ton/ha, however Iansafrut this season achieved an average yield of 81.7 ton/ha from approximately 2,700 hectares. The highest yield of 123.8 ton/ha (across 58.35 ha) was obtained by farmers using mechanized systems. The highest yield obtained by one farmer without mechanization was 138.1 ton/ha from 4.6 ha. These yields are comparable to those obtained in the USA with an average of 80 ton/ha and Portugal with 65 ton/ha. The greatest evolution in the processing tomato industry in Chile has been in the mechanization of the crop. In 1998, Iansafrut had just 0.8% of the area transplanted mechanically, increasing to 52.9% in 2004. The more dramatic change has been in the use of plantlets grown in containers for transplanting, where the root damage is minimal in comparison with the old method of growing bare rooted plants in the field, which are then transplanted resulting in serious root damage and stress. Another important change has been in the number of farmers growing processing tomatoes; which has decreased in recent years. In the case of Iansafrut, grower numbers decreased from 489 in 1998 to 226 in 2004. This has been due to selection of the more innovative farmers adept at using modern techniques and mechanization. However, the industry remains diverse, as small farmers are still involved, adapting their practices to incorporate semi-mechanized systems where complete mechanization is impractical. | |
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