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Chile is the second-largest South American market for U.S. agricultural products. Solid political institutions and a stable macroeconomic environment, combined with high consumer purchasing power, make Chile a lucrative market for U.S. producers of wheat, cheese, pet food, alcoholic beverages, and other consumer-oriented products.

In MY 2022/23, FAS Santiago estimates lemon production will increase by 26.4 percent and total 172,000 MT (metric tons) due to favorable climatic conditions. Lemon exports will increase by 33.9 percent and reach 75,000 MT due to higher productions and a decrease in freight costs.

Chile has consolidated its reputation as one of the main players in the global food industry. According to Chilealimentos A.G. (Chile’s Food Processors Association) food sales in Chile reached $44.4 billion in 2020, which represents a 7.8 percent decrease of sales compared to 2019, and Chilean domestic food sales reached $27 billion in 2020.

For marketing year (MY) 2021/22, Post forecasts 230,000 hectares (ha) of wheat planted area totaling 1.4 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat production, which represents a 2.56 percent increase over MY2020/21 due to high price expectations.