Chile, the southernmost country in the world, is found in South America between 17° 30’ and the 56° 32’ latitude south. This long, narrow country is bound by the Atacama Desert to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes mountain chain to the east and Antarctica to the south. Chile has an international reputation as a serious and trustworthy business partner. Its political and economic stability; accumulated experience as an exporter of foods such as fruit, wines, salmon, processed foods and meats; a solid work ethic and entrepreneurial capacity; and the various trade agreements it has signed, underscore the country’s position as a reliable business platform.

Climate Chile is located in one of the few areas of the world that enjoy a Mediterranean climate (30 and 45 degrees latitude north and south). The Mediterranean climate is ideal for cultivating abundant and wholesome foods, as the weather oscillates between dry, hot summers and wet winters. The thermal variation of 17ºC that takes place between night and day promotes the production of sugars and other natural components in fruits and green vegetables, so enhancing their flavor, aroma and color. Hass avocados benefit from Chile’s favorable climate, which highlights enhances the fruit’s smooth and agreeable taste to a level of quality not found in any other part of the world. And it is precisely these characteristics that are present in Chilean extra virgin avocado oil.

Phytosanitary Conditions Chile is an “ecological island”. With the Atacama Desert to the north, the Andes mountains to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the ice fields of Antarctica to the south, the country is naturally protected from all sorts of exotic plagues and pests that have caused havoc in other parts of the world. The phytozoosanitary conditions in Chile are unique, enabling the country to provide safe food at a level of quality appreciated throughout the world.

Trade Agreements Thanks to the trade agreements signed by Chile with a number of countries over the last few years, it now has privileged access to the world’s main markets. Bilateral trade agreements have been ratified with the United States, European Union, South Korea, the European Free Trade Association (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), Canada, Mexico and Central America, the MERCOSUR and Andean Community of Nations, P4 (Singapore, New Zealand and Brunei ), China and Japan.

Export Experience Chile has been a major food exporter for a number of decades, trading in fruit, wine, salmon, processed foods, meats and other produce, and supplying more than 150 countries with its products. After copper, the food industry is the country’s next biggest export sector, forming one of the most dynamic segments of the Chilean economy, and projections indicate that the food industry will become the main export sector during the twenty-first century. Chile is currently positioned in seventeenth place among the world’s main food export nations, advancing at an accelerated pace that will allow it to enter the top ten of food export nations within the next few years.

Political and economic stability Public and private institutions in Chile enjoy a considerable level of stability, thus providing an auspicious environment for the creation and development of new businesses. This is underlined by its status as the country with the lowest level of country risk in the Latin American region. Chile also holds first place in Latin America and eleventh in the world as regards economic freedom.

Links ProChile: www.prochile.cl Ministry of Agriculture: www.minagri.gob.cl ODEPA: www.odepa.gob.cl