Chilean fruit industry giant Ronald Bown passes away at 80

Written and reported by Macarena Bravo | Lee esta noticia en Español

Ronald Bown Fernández, former President of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX, for its Spanish acronym), now rebranded as Frutas de Chile, passed away on Thursday, May 21, at the age of 80.

He took over as Executive Director of ASOEX in 1986 and later became its President in 1990, a role he held for 35 years, until 2022.

The Chilean industry says goodbye to a giant

Iván Marambio, President of Frutas de Chile, celebrated Bown's role as a historical figure for the sector, saying he “led with vision, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to our industry.”

“Thanks to his work, Chile became one of the world's great fresh fruit exporters, recognized for its quality and reliability,” said Marambio. “He was a tireless defender of producers and exporters, and a person who was approachable, ethical, and deeply committed to the common good.”

The current President of the industry, who stepped up for Bown four years ago, said his predecessor “played a key role in promoting dialogue and building agreements between the public and private sectors, contributing to the strengthening of a shared vision for the country's development.”

Ronald Bown shakes hands with Ivan Marambio as he is named President of industry body Frutas de Chile. | Archive

“The fruit export industry today is a reflection of that legacy, an example of commitment, vision, and leadership that inspired and remains present in our daily work in the fruit industry,” added the executive.

A permanent commitment to the sector

Charif Carvajal, Marketing Director for Asia, Europe, and the Middle East at Frutas de Chile, also mourns Bown’s passing, emphasizing his role in growing the country’s fruit production to what it is today.

"He was deeply involved, both professionally and personally, in some of the most decisive moments in our industry's history, and also played an important role in internationally positioning Chile through one of its most emblematic export sectors," he said. "He believed deeply in Chile, in its fruit industry, and in the people who were behind it."

Antonio Walker, President of Chile’s National Society of Agriculture (SNA, for its Spanish acronym), echoed his colleagues’ remarks, underscoring Bown's historical and key role in the development of Chile's export and agri-food sectors.

"For decades, he stood out for his permanent commitment to the country's growth, the opening of international markets, and the strengthening of modern, competitive agriculture connected to the world," he emphasized. "Visionary, rigorous, and with a great capacity for articulation, he left a deep mark on our sector." 

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