Chile investigates expanding its exotic fruit exports
Chile is experimenting with growing low water-consuming fruit such as dragon fruit, figs, prickly pears, pomegranates and tamarillos in its dry Norte Chico zone in a bid to diversify exports.
Foundation of Agriculture Innovation (FIA) claims the first results of a University of Chile project in III (Atacama) and IV (Coquimbo) regions show an 85% reduction in water and energy consumption compared with cultivating citrus and avocados.
FIA ​​deputy director Fernando Jordan, said the project was important for offering vital evidence on these fruits' drought tolerance.
"The iniative's innovation is to validate these fruit varieties in local environments allowing them to tolerate adverse weather and climate conditions such as such as extreme temperatures, high radiation and drought phenomena."
Agriculture minister Luis Mayol, said it was important producers adapt to new conditions of water scarcity.
"Increasing efficiency in water use today is essential for agriculture, especially in an area where there is a notorious water shortage," he said on a visit to the project.
Norte Chico contributes significantly to Chile's fruit exports, however, 66% of the area is concentrated on grapes, citrus and avocados which have medium to high water requirements.
Lack of diversification has resulted in low economic efficiency of water squeezing  farmers' profitablity due to the high energy costs of pressurized water irrigation.
Chile's agriculture ministry is keen to pursue the lucrative niche markets which pomegranates, figs and prickly pears offer in Canada, Europe, the U.K., Russia and the U.S.
Pomegranates can achieve water savings of 36-46% compared with avocados, while figs consume 24-37% less water.
Prickly pears offer the largest water savings of 83-86% with Chile able to grow the fruit both in the summer and winter. Mexico is the leading producer, while Italy has the largest exports.
Tamarillos, also known as tree tomatoes, offer 45% water savings, and can be eaten fresh in salads or used for cooking in stews or making jams.
Dragon fruit would offer an 80% reduction in water and can be used in juices, jams and wines with the stems used for manufacturing shampoos and soaps. Israel is currently the main producer where its exports command high prices in the European market.
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