Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried (Shelled kernel)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Shelled almonds in Chile are supplied by domestic orchards concentrated in the central zone, with Non Pareil historically cited as the dominant commercial variety. Chile’s almond trade is regionally oriented, with exports mainly serving South American markets while domestic demand is also complemented by imports (notably from the United States in historical ODEPA reporting). The product is widely used as an ingredient in bakery, confectionery and dairy desserts, and also consumed as a snack (including roasted/salted forms). Industry coordination and R&D emphasis have recently been reinforced via ChileAlmonds and an INIA–UC Davis Chile technical committee focused on production and post-harvest challenges under climate constraints.
Market RoleProducer and regional exporter (South America), with supplemental imports for domestic demand
Domestic RoleFood ingredient and snack nut used by agro-industry (bakery/confectionery, desserts) and retail consumers
SeasonalityMarket availability is generally year-round due to storability; historical Chilean export dispatch data show higher shipment volumes in the second half of the year.
Specification
Primary VarietyNon Pareil
Secondary Variety- Merced
- Carmel
- Price
- Ruby
- Texas Prolific
- Drake
Physical Attributes- Soft-shell cultivars (e.g., Non Pareil, Merced, Carmel) and harder-shell types (e.g., Texas Prolific, Drake) are both referenced in Chile production context.
Packaging- Exports are described as predominantly shelled kernels; packaging/format specifications vary by buyer program and destination requirements.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Central-zone orchards → harvest → drying/conditioning → hulling/shelling → sorting/grading → packaging → dry storage → domestic distribution and/or export dispatch
Temperature- Dry, cool storage is emphasized to preserve quality and reduce mold/mycotoxin risk in stored nuts.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life is strongly dependent on moisture control and storage conditions due to rancidity and mold risks in nuts.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin compliance is a potential shipment-blocking risk in Chile: the Chilean Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos (RSA, consolidated Feb 2026 text) sets a maximum limit for total aflatoxins in almonds, so lots exceeding the limit can face detention/rejection and downstream recall risk.Implement pre-shipment sampling and accredited laboratory testing for aflatoxins, maintain strict moisture control (drying and dry storage), and use moisture-barrier packaging/containers to prevent re-wetting during transport and warehousing.
Regulatory Compliance MediumPhytosanitary non-compliance can block entry for imports: SAG establishes origin-specific import requirements for dried almonds (e.g., U.S. and Australia) via resolutions, and shipments that do not meet the applicable requirements may be refused entry or delayed for corrective actions.Confirm applicable SAG import requirements by product form and country of origin before booking; align supplier documentation and treatment/handling steps to the relevant SAG resolution and inspection expectations.
Climate MediumDomestic supply reliability is exposed to central-zone climate constraints (especially water availability) given the geographic concentration of Chilean orchards; sector initiatives explicitly emphasize climate adaptation and post-harvest resilience.Diversify sourcing across Chilean regions and/or maintain import contingency plans; prioritize irrigation efficiency and post-harvest moisture management to protect storability.
Sustainability- Water availability and irrigation dependence in central Chile production zones (drip irrigation referenced in ODEPA cost structures)
- Climate-change adaptation focus for the Chilean almond sector (INIA–UC Davis Chile committee and ChileAlmonds collaboration)
FAQ
What is the main almond variety referenced for Chilean production?ODEPA’s Chile almond market note cites Non Pareil as the majority variety in Chile, with other Californian-origin varieties (such as Merced and Carmel) also referenced in Chilean orchards.
Which Chilean regions are commonly associated with almond production?ODEPA describes almond production concentrated in Chile’s central zone, with expansion toward Coquimbo (IV) and Maule (VII), and major historical area cited across Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitan and O’Higgins regions.
What is a key food-safety “deal-breaker” for shelled almonds sold in Chile?Aflatoxins: Chile’s Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos (RSA) includes a maximum limit for total aflatoxins in almonds, so shipments that exceed the limit can be detained or rejected.
Which authority sets phytosanitary requirements for importing dried almonds into Chile?Chile’s Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) sets phytosanitary import requirements, including origin-specific resolutions for dried almonds (for example, requirements covering U.S. and Australian origin).