Chile is making progress in Hass avocado quality through innovation
A study led by PUCV seeks to reduce the "black spot", a problem that affects the appearance of avocados and generates losses in exports.
Avocados continue to solidify their position in Chile, with per capita consumption reaching 8.9 kilos in 2025, making the country the world's second-largest consumer of Hass avocados. In this context, the industry faces new quality challenges, such as "black spot," a physiological disorder that affects the fruit's appearance and generates significant commercial losses.
The research, led by the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso , seeks to understand the origin of this problem. According to academic Romina Pedreschi , the phenomenon manifests as black spots on the skin after long periods of cold storage. Although it does not affect the pulp or its quality, its commercial impact is significant, since consumers tend to reject fruit with visual defects.
The study has identified that black spot is associated with oxidative stress and both pre- and post-harvest factors. Among the advances, the use of controlled atmosphere during transport stands out, as it reduces the development of the disorder. Through the Fondecyt project, researchers are seeking to develop predictive tools that will allow them to anticipate the problem from harvest onward, improving decision-making and reducing losses throughout the Chilean avocado export chain.
Source: portalfruticola.com
