Santiago, Chile
May 22, 2008
USDA/FAS GAIN report CI8009
Report Highlights
Another increase in planted
area, production, and exports are expected in 2007/8, as
large multinational seed companies increase contracts in
response to an increased demand.
General
Chile has excellent
conditions for commercial seed production. Generally
favorable climatic conditions, farmers with a high education
level and the absence of most insects and diseases
are among the important factors that have helped to expanded
seed production over the last
decades. A Mediterranean-type climate with mostly mild
winters and dry summers covers a
great part of central Chile’s seed growing areas. Almost all
crops and plants grown in
temperate climates can be found in this growing area.
Chile’s geographic isolation has
prevented the development of major plant diseases and kept
most harmful insects away. Its
counter seasonal production with respect to the Northern
Hemisphere has helped the country
develop a successful commercial seed industry to supply
those markets.
Seed exports in Chile have grown from US$70 million in 1995
to over US$190 million in
2007. The seed industry benefits from its southern
hemisphere location which permits the
harvesting and conditioning of seeds and their rapid export
to the Northern Hemisphere in
time for spring planting, thereby enhancing the quality of
germination. Most large
multinational seed companies are present in Chile, producing
seeds for both the domestic
and export markets. They market their products through their
own channels of distribution.
Full report:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200805/146294632.pdf
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