During his participation in the second forum of CherryTech 2026, the agronomist analysed the main challenges facing the sector after two difficult seasons and urged growers to focus their strategies on increasing the production of high-quality exportable fruit in order to restore orchard profitability.
According to Gallegos, in the current context it is no longer enough to reduce costs per hectare, as this strategy does not always translate into better economic results. “Today, the goal is to lower costs per kilo, and that is achieved by increasing the amount of fruit exported per hectare,” he explained.
In this regard, he stressed that the business requires a combination of volume and quality, with particular attention to the production of firm fruit and a high proportion of Jumbo or larger calibres, in line with current market demands.
The specialist noted that the threshold for competitiveness has also changed. While a few seasons ago an orchard producing 8,000 kilos per hectare could be profitable, today that yield is no longer sufficient. In his view, the new production baseline is around 12,000 kilos per hectare, although he clarified that each orchard has a different potential and that this figure should be understood as a minimum reference point for facing the new scenario.
RELATED NEWS: CherryTech: orchard precision takes centre stage in Chile’s cherry strategy
Gallegos also warned about the risk of cutting back on key agronomic practices in an attempt to reduce costs. In his opinion, practices such as integrated soil management, irrigation, crop health, crop load regulation, pruning and early thinning are essential to sustain both productivity and fruit quality.
The advisor insisted that more detailed cost management will allow growers to make better use of available resources and face the coming seasons more efficiently. In a scenario of greater pressure on profitability, the key will be to produce more exportable fruit per hectare, without compromising the quality attributes demanded by the market.
