Asparagus market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean fresh asparagus market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 11 944 tons in 2021 after initial growth to 11 558 tons in 2019. This early expansion was driven by producers dynamically adapting planted areas to prices and demand, which boosted domestic output. A slight contraction to 11 241 tons in 2020 coincided with the rollout of new pesticide control regulations, including Decree No. 157 governing safe use in sanitary and domestic environments, which added compliance steps for growers.

Market volume rebounded in 2021, reaching 11 944 tons, supported by a 4.4% rise in asparagus export value that encouraged higher production for both local and overseas sales. However, in October 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture announced a prohibition on several highly toxic pesticides, such as Chlorpyrifos-ethyl and Paraquat dichloride, to promote more sustainable agrochemicals. This regulatory shift increased production costs and affected yields, contributing to a decline in market volume to 10 731 tons in 2022 and a further drop to 9 143 tons in 2023. During this period, the industry intensified its focus on frozen asparagus exports, which represented 98.6% of the sector's export value in 2022, likely redirecting some resources away from fresh production.

Trade flows also adjusted: imports, primarily from Peru, fell sharply from 498 tons in 2022 to 124 tons in 2023. Meanwhile, exports of fresh or chilled asparagus grew from 25 tons in 2022 to 67 tons in 2024 and 172 tons in 2025, reflecting continued efforts to penetrate international markets. An innovation project launched in 2022 aimed to validate a fresh asparagus preservation system, seeking to improve product quality and competitiveness for exports to key destinations like the United States and Japan.

Production asparagus in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Chile ranked 14th globally in asparagus production volume.

Top producers of asparagus, 2018-2021

World map of production of asparagus, 2018-2021

In 2021, Chile produced 11 474 tons of asparagus, marking a 5.1% year-over-year increase. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 12.8%, averaging 4.1% annually. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 10.0%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports asparagus from Chile

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with an 8.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Chile's cross-border shipments of asparagus totaled 11.3 tons, up 11.7% from 2020. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 29.0 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 788.4%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 65.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea remained the primary destination for asparagus exports in kind, accounting for 76.7% of total flows, with the rest distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 8.3 times. In 2021, Chile exported $50,000 worth of asparagus, a 116.9% increase from 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $150,000. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 726.6%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 84.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical pattern of asparagus exports in value terms was characterized by the strong dominance of South Korea, which held an 86.3% share of total flows, while other partners accounted for relatively minor shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports asparagus to Chile

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, asparagus deliveries to Chile increased. In 2021, Chile imported 481.0 tons of asparagus, indicating a sharp uptick of 44.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 3.6%, averaging 1.2% annually. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 333.2 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 16.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of asparagus imports in kind was highly concentrated, with Peru alone accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year fall, asparagus imports to Chile increased. In 2021, imports amounted to $2,178,000, which is 27.7% more compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 7.5%, averaging 2.4% annually. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at $1,706,000. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Peru was the key partner for asparagus imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021