agriculture

The Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture has witnessed a significant increase in various sectors of the nation's exports, particularly in the agricultural, forestry, and aquaculture sectors, as well as in Tarapacá's mineral exports.

The agricultural sector experienced a surge of 8.8% in the first half of the year, with exports totaling US$7.053 billion, representing 31.3% of total foreign sales. This growth is driven by record exports of cherries, plums, and blueberries.

The forestry sector also showed positive performance, with exports reaching US$2.448,8 billion FOB between January and May 2024, a 3.0% increase compared to the same period last year. However, May witnessed a decrease in exports by 23.1% compared to the previous month.

The aquaculture sector continues to demonstrate its importance in the national economy, with salmon leading the exports. The peak export period is between March and September, with two companies managing 80% of the exported tonnage.

Tarapacá's exports reached US$469 million in May 2024, with significant interest shown in developing 24 lithium projects in the region's deposits and salt flats.

Kiwi exports are expected to increase by 10% compared to the previous season, with more than 65% progress in the current season and an estimated volume surpassing last year's total of 126,220 tons.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the first Damen CSD600 series cutter suction dredger has begun operations. Named Jhoni 58, it is currently working on a maintenance dredging project at the Port of Batulicin in Kalimantan, primarily used by numerous coal transport barges.

• Las ciruelas y los arándanos se suben al carro de exportaciones récord que lideran las cerezas | Diario Financiero (Df.cl)
• Exportaciones forestales chilenas acumulan desempeño positivo - PortalPortuario (Portalportuario.cl)
• Sector acuícola chileno: El salmón lidera ventas y demanda en Brasil y Estados Unidos - Radio Agricultura (Radioagricultura.cl)
• Exportaciones de Tarapacá alcanzaron los US$469 millones en mayo de 2024 (Radiopaulina.cl)
• Exportaciones de kiwi podrían incrementarse en un 10% en comparación con la temporada anterior - Mundoagro (Mundoagro.cl)
• Indonesia pone en operación la primera draga de la serie Damen CSD600 - PortalPortuario (Portalportuario.cl)

The Indonesian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture highlights a series of events that have marked the economic, cultural, and natural landscape of both countries in the past week.

Chile has been granted permission to export poultry meat and by-products to Paraguay, as reported by La Tribuna. This is a significant milestone for the Chilean poultry industry, opening a new market and fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations.

Simultaneously, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has raised its growth projection for the Chilean economy to 2.3% in 2024, a half percentage point increase from the 1.8% estimate in November last year. The Paris-based organization attributes this positive adjustment to a recovery of real wages, aided by falling inflation and more flexible financial conditions. The OECD also projects that inflation will continue to decrease and converge to a 3% target by mid-2025.

In the agricultural sector, exports of cherries to China increased by 16% in the 2023-2024 season, reaching a record US$ 2.260 billion, according to data from ProChile's Department of Market Intelligence. This notable increase demonstrates the robustness of Chile's agricultural sector and its ability to navigate the international market successfully.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the remote Mount Ruang volcano erupted multiple times, triggering the highest level of alert and the evacuation of thousands of people due to the threat of a tsunami from debris sliding into the sea. This natural event has drawn international attention to Indonesia and its volcanic activity.

The Indonesian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture continues to monitor these developments closely, recognizing their potential to shape the economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

• Chile obtuvo habilitación para exportar carne y subproductos de aves a Paraguay | La Tribuna (Latribuna.cl)
• OCDE eleva proyección de crecimiento de economía chilena al 2,3% en 2024 (Lanacion.cl)
• VIDEO: La espectacular imagen de rayos volcánicos en la erupción del Monte Ruang en Indonesia (Lanacion.cl)
• OCDE eleva la proyección de crecimiento para Chile al 2,3% en 2024 - Radio Santiago (Eldiariodesantiago.cl)
• Exportaciones de cerezas a China aumentaron 16% en temporada 2023-2024: Alcanzó US$ 2.260 millones - Radio Agricultura (Radioagricultura.cl)
• Exportaciones, cambio climático y alza en los costos. Por Camilo Cornejo Orellana, Ingeniero Agrónomo Académico Ingeniería Comercial Universidad Andrés Bello – G5noticias (G5noticias.cl)

The Chilean-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Culture highlights several key developments in bilateral trade, agriculture, and mining sectors between Chile and Indonesia this week.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee is set to organize a Technical Workshop titled "Efficiency in nutrition and irrigation during post-harvest" on March 27, 2024, at Agrícola Sauerburger. The workshop, which will feature a presentation by José Ignacio Covarrubias, aims to improve post-harvest practices in the blueberry industry.

On the mining front, Adani's copper foundry is set to require Chilean concentrates as part of its US$1.2 billion investment. This development is expected to boost Chile's copper exports and strengthen the bilateral trade relationship between Chile and Indonesia.

Furthermore, India's decision to reduce import duties on Chilean blueberries has been warmly welcomed by Chilean exporters. This move is anticipated to spur Chilean blueberry exports and contribute to the growth of the country's fruit industry.

Meanwhile, the total exports from Biobío have grown by 1.7% in 2023, despite a national decrease of 3.7%. This growth underscores the region's resilience and its significant contribution to Chile's economy.

Chile's fruit industry continues to thrive, with fruit-growing hectares reaching 375,600 hectares by the end of 2022. Over the last decade, the industry expanded by over 76,000 hectares, with cherry plantations leading the growth.

Lastly, Chile has made its presence felt at the world's largest mining fair in Canada, seeking investors and promoting its lithium and copper production. Chile's Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams, emphasized the country's position as a global leader in mineral reserves and its intent to advance in polymetallic mining through public-private partnerships.

• Comité de Arándanos de Frutas de Chile invita a Taller Técnico “Eficiencia en la nutrición y riego durante la postcosecha” – Simfruit (Simfruit.cl)
• Fundición de cobre de Adani de US$ 1.200 millones de inversión requerirá concentrados de Chile (Redimin.cl)
• India reduce aranceles a los arándanos chilenos | Artículo (Eldemocrata.cl)
• Exportaciones totales del Biobío crecen en 1,7% en 2023, mientras que a nivel nacional disminuyeron en 3,7% | La Tribuna (Latribuna.cl)
• Chile: Hectáreas frutícolas llegan a 375.600 hectáreas – Simfruit (Simfruit.cl)
• Chile llega a la mayor feria minera mundial en Canadá para buscar inversionistas y promover el litio y cobre (Reportediario.cl)

The Indonesia Chile Chamber of Commerce and Culture is closely monitoring the recent economic and social developments in both countries. Here are the major headlines for the week:

According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the Maule Region experienced a contraction of 16.1% in exports in October 2023, reaching a total of USD 180.3 million. The industrial sector remains the region's major exporter, with food being the most significant segment within this sector.

An unfortunate accident occurred at a nickel plant in Indonesia, claiming at least 13 lives. A flammable liquid caught fire during boiler repair works causing a deflagration that led to the explosion of nearby oxygen tanks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

In positive news for Chilean exports, the country's fruit has been gaining popularity in the Chinese market. The Frutas de Chile brand is making strides in the market, particularly with peaches and apricots. This development strengthens Chile's position as one of the few countries whose entire fruit basket is approved for entry into China.

Global wine consumption has taken a hit, leading countries like Chile to abandon vineyards. Some, like Viña Santa Rita, are even considering complete removal of their vineyards.

Contrasting the situation in the Maule Region, the Tarapacá Region saw a 42% increase in export value in October 2023, reaching USD 524.7 million. However, the accumulated variation showed a 2.7% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Despite the recent change in Argentina's government, Chile's trade relations with its neighbor remain steady. The two countries share a high degree of complementarity in their economies, and their trade relations are governed by two international treaties that are not easily violated.

• Región del Maule: Exportaciones se contraen 16,1% en octubre de 2023 - PortalPortuario (Portalportuario.cl)
• Indonesia: al menos 13 muertos en una explosión en una planta de níquel (Telam.com.ar)
• "Chile es uno de los pocos países donde toda su fruta está aprobada para el ingreso a China" (Elmaucho.cl)
• Chile abandona viñedos ante caída de ventas (Eldemocrata.cl)
• Región de Tarapacá: Valor de exportaciones crece 42% en octubre de 2023 - PortalPortuario (Portalportuario.cl)
• El comercio de Chile con Argentina luego del triunfo de Milei (Elmostrador.cl)