Water crisis shifts crop priorities in northern Chile

Amid rising water scarcity in Chile’s Coquimbo region, cherries and lemons have emerged as the most profitable fruit crops per litre of water. This finding comes from a study by the Regional Sustainable Fruit Growing Programme, led by Corfo, co-financed by the regional government, and executed by Frutas de Chile — the country’s main fruit export association. The analysis evaluated the water productivity and economic return of major crops to guide more efficient resource use.

Findings show that only cherries and lemons increased their cultivated area between 2021 and 2024, while more traditional crops like table grapes and olives showed significantly lower water-use efficiency. The study calculated profitability by comparing how much water each crop requires, how much revenue it generates, and its production costs, ultimately determining the return per cubic metre of irrigation.

These results are crucial for growers facing climate change and market shifts, as they offer practical guidance on which crops are most sustainable and economically viable under current water constraints. A previous 2018 case study comparing sub-basins in Limarí province also supported the argument: areas with more water-efficient crops achieved the same income using less water.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: wikifarmer.com