Ñuble, cranberry region: 17% grows planted area of this fruit
An increase of 31,4% experienced the area of fruit trees in the Ñuble Region in the last three years, going from the 10.792 hectares in 2016 to 14.184 hectares in 2019.
As revealed by the Fruit Registry of Ciren-Odepa of July of 2019, fruit growing today exceeds 342 thousand hectares planted in Chile, with some regions, such as Ñuble, with a significant increase in area, as well as growth of the planting of species such as cherry, with more than 38 thousand hectares; the blueberry, with more than 18 thousand; and the European hazelnut, which exceeds 24 thousand.
In Nuble, the area planted with fruit species reached 14.184,5 hectares. with an increase of 31,4% over the previous Cadastre. In terms of species, the dominance of the blueberry with 4.023, 6 has planted and a growth of 17,3%, representing 21,9% of the national plantation. The Hazelnut is followed with 2.943,53 ha, and a growth of 287%. The cherry tree is located as the third most planted fruit in the region with 1.600, 28 ha. It is followed by walnut and raspberry with 1.419,81 and 1.419,81 hectares, and a growth of 31% and 3%, respectively.
The Cadastre also highlights the decrease in the area of kiwifruit of -34%, with plantations that fell from 460 to 303 hectares. According to Ciren authorities, this decline is mainly due to the PSA, which led many producers in the south central area to uproot trees, as well as the lower prices obtained in the destination markets.
Irrigation Method
The document highlights that 75,4% of the surface of fruit trees in the Ñuble, a drip method; followed by groove with 12,5%, micro sprinkler 10,9%, laid 0,% and other 1,2%. Coincidentally, the drip system is used by the main fruit trees in the area such as cranberry (3.999,50 has drip), hazelnut (2.755,40 ha), cherry tree (1.073 ha), raspberry (698,8 ha), walnut (655,4 ha) and red apple tree (342,1 ha).
The cranberry is the main fruit species planted in the municipalities of Chillán, Chillán Viejo, Pinto, San Ignacio, Yungay, Cobquecura, Coelemu, Portezuelo, Coihueco, San Carlos and San Nicolás.
Production:
In terms of production according to the planted hectares, of those reported (53% of the total) in the case of blueberries, 40.548,6 tons are registered, of which 67,6% is destined for export, 2% to the domestic market and 30,4% to agroindustry .