Chilean avocados cross the Andes

Chile and Argentina share much more than one of the longest borders in the world.

We share history, landscapes, a football rivalry that excites us and, increasingly, a table.

In recent years, Chilean avocados have naturally become a staple in Andean cuisine, appearing in breakfasts, lunches, and salads, and this change, silent at first, is now clearly reflected in the numbers.

Just two seasons ago, Argentina received 8,112 tons of our avocados, equivalent to 9.1% of our exports. In 2024-2025, that figure rose to 29,370 tons, and in the 2025-2026 season, it reached nearly 40,000 tons, around a quarter of the 160,190 tons that Chile shipped abroad. Thus, our neighboring country became the second largest destination for Chilean avocados, second only to Europe.

This growth can be explained by both production and geographical factors. Firstly, the last two seasons have been very productive, yielding 240,000 and 265,000 tons respectively. Furthermore, the logistical ease of reaching that market in just a couple of days by land, with fresh fruit in optimal condition, is a significant advantage. Added to this is another, even more interesting factor: Argentine consumers have discovered, or perhaps rediscovered, a fruit they value for its quality, creaminess, and flavor.

What's striking is how it happened, without major advertising campaigns or a robust, resource-intensive promotional strategy. Avocados gained popularity organically, largely through social media, where a growing number of nutritionists and doctors recommend them as part of a healthy diet. At a time when we're all striving to eat better and understand what's on our plates, these digital conversations have had a concrete impact on what Argentine families choose when they go grocery shopping.

And when it comes to a love for avocados, Chileans have plenty of experience. Between 40% and 45% of what we produce stays in our country, and we're the second largest consumer of Hass avocados in the world, with 8.9 kilos per capita. Here, avocados aren't just food; they're part of our afternoon tea, our hot dog, and our culinary identity. Perhaps that's why we're so happy to see our neighbors starting to share that taste.

The challenge now is to nurture this relationship, maintaining a stable supply with the quality, safety, and traceability that characterize our fruit, and supporting the growing interest of Argentine consumers by providing information about its origin and benefits. With the 2026-2027 season projected to produce 285,000 tons, the highest in 17 years, there are good reasons to look to the future with optimism.

In the end, this story reminds us that the Andes Mountains, rather than separating us, unite us. Chilean avocados have already crossed them and are here to stay. Now, the challenge is for more Argentinians to enjoy them.

Francisco Contardo-Sfeir
Executive President of Paltas de Chile.