Chile is a country located in southwestern South America, characterized by a climate that varies depending on the geographical area. The north has a drier climate with relatively high temperatures, while the south has a cooler and more humid climate. Rainfall is more frequent during the winter months. Below, we will list the main crops of Chile.
Main crops of Chile.
MOST CHARACTERISTIC CEREAL
Cereals are plants of the grass family cultivated for their grain (thin-walled fruit attached to the seed, characteristic of the family).
The area cultivated with cereals is approximately 576 hectares, of which 44% is wheat, 24% is corn, and 22% is oats. Other cereals account for less than 5% of the planted area. 69% of wheat and 85% of oat plantings are concentrated in the Biobío and Araucanía regions. Corn is primarily planted in the O'Higgins and Maule regions, which together account for 75% of the total area.
LEGUMES AND TUBERS
Legumes are large, fleshy, and colorful plant seeds. In Chile, we can find beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas, lupins, and others.
Bean.
The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is an annual species native to Mesoamerica and South America, and its many varieties are cultivated worldwide for consumption, both of its green pods and its fresh or dried seeds.
Lentils.
Lentils are the seeds of a plant in the Fabaceae family that grows annually. It has a small pod that holds within it the rounded lentils , tiny yet rich in nutrients. The chickpea is a herbaceous plant, approximately 50 cm tall, with white or violet flowers that develop into a pod containing two or three seeds at most. It is an annual plant. The chickpea is a legume with significant culinary and nutritional qualities.
Pea or garden pea.
Pea , or garden pea, is a plant belonging to the legume family; its botanical name is Pisum sativum. It is an annual herbaceous plant. The pods are 5 to 10 cm long and usually contain 4 to 10 seeds; their shape and color vary depending on the variety.
The Lupine.
The lupin , a legume of South American origin, 90% of whose crops in Chile are found in the Araucanía Region, has the attribute of being able to be used in a complete menu: as a snack accompanied by wine, in a pizza dough based on its flour or with salads and with strawberries for dessert.
The Raps.
Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a cultivated plant in the Brassicaceae family with bright yellow flowers. It is grown worldwide to produce animal feed, vegetable oil for human consumption, and biodiesel. The seed is the useful part of the silique. The oil extraction process leaves behind a moderately protein-rich animal feed that competes with soybeans. This feed is primarily used for cattle, but also for pigs and chickens.
Legume cultivation in Chile covers a small area compared to its historical levels. Domestic consumption is highly dependent on imports. However, there are currently signs of recovery, especially for lentils and beans , for which a technological shift in cultivation practices is being considered.
Other crops in Chile include fruits such as peaches, mushrooms, pears and grapes, and vegetables such as garlic, onions, asparagus and broad beans.
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