Chile's nut sector hit by quality loss, disease as exports surge

hazelnuts walnut disease Ferrero Chile nut exports Rodrigo Viñambres

Chile's hazelnut industry faced a sharp quality decline in the 2026 harvest as processing capacity lagged behind expanding plantings. The Italian group Ferrero stopped buying lower‑grade nuts mid‑season, leaving 12‑15% of national output affected and an estimated US$50 million loss for growers, according to committee president Rodrigo Viñambres, who met with Agriculture Minister Jaime Campos.

At the same time, a black‑walnut disease spread across the central‑south region, threatening 13,604 hectares and projecting a 20% drop in walnut yields. Some farms reported 20‑30% losses, as described by producer Miguel Castillo and agronomy expert Ernesto Moya.

Despite these setbacks, Chile's nut export segment posted record growth in 2025/26, expanding 85.5% in value and 52.9% in volume. Hazelnut shipments rose 135.4% in value and 161.4% in volume, reaching US$563 million, with Italy absorbing 47.5% of the value. Walnuts accounted for 50.2% of nut export value, while overall fruit exports hit US$8.540 billion FOB, making nuts the leading export category.

Entities: Dafna Michaud · Ernesto Moya · Ferrero · Jaime Campos · Miguel Castillo · Rodrigo Viñambres

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Black‑walnut disease is projected to reduce walnut production in central‑south Chile by 20%, affecting 13,604 hectares. (ae7a36e3-7875-4cc3-a359-1ac64b55c0a9)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Italy accounted for 47.5% of the value of Chilean hazelnut exports. (6937a198-e818-4dfd-a4a9-9e15bc9e4b47)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Some walnut growers reported 20%‑30% loss in the 2025‑26 season due to the disease. (ae7a36e3-7875-4cc3-a359-1ac64b55c0a9)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Chile's nut export segment grew 85.5% in value and 52.9% in volume in 2025/26. (6937a198-e818-4dfd-a4a9-9e15bc9e4b47)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The hazelnut quality loss caused an estimated US$50 million loss for Chilean producers. (ded44ea3-fba2-43ed-b755-bbc49ab97530)
[○ 1 SOURCE] 12% to 15% of Chile's hazelnut production was affected by quality issues in the 2026 harvest. (ded44ea3-fba2-43ed-b755-bbc49ab97530)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Hazelnut exports reached US$563 million FOB, up 135.4% in value and 161.4% in volume. (6937a198-e818-4dfd-a4a9-9e15bc9e4b47)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ferrero stopped buying lower‑grade Chilean hazelnuts mid‑season 2026. (ded44ea3-fba2-43ed-b755-bbc49ab97530)