Chile Crop Calendar

Located between 26° and 32° South. The Regions of Atacama and Coquimbo are the administrative units. It is characterized by its semi-arid climate and varied vegetation, from xerophytic to mesophytic. It comprises the following reliefs (from west to east): coastal plains, coastal mountain range, transversal valleys (intermediate depression) and the Andes mountain range. The thermal regime during the month of January goes from 23°C-24°C in areas near the coast up to 5°C in the Andes. Between the coastal zone and the Andes, nuclei of up to 29°C-30°C can be observed. From West to East the minimum temperature in the month of July ranges from 8°C-9°C up to -10°C. The annual precipitation from West to East in Atacama Region ranges from 30 mm to 120 mm in much of this area. While in Coquimbo Region ranges from 50 mm to 270 mm from North to South.

Practices: Fruit tree crops for exportation and early production vegetables, in valleys with irrigation. Low production of cereals and forages.

Located between 32° and 37.5° South. It concentrates the highest percentage of the country's economic productivity, due to its favorable Mediterranean and continental climate in the interior. The Regions of Valparaiso, Metropolitana, O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble and Bío-Bío are the administrative units. The termal regime during the month of January goes from 22°C in the coastal zone and increases up to 28°C-30°C to the East, then decreases rapidly up to 10C° as height increases. From West to East the minimum temperature in the month of July ranges from 6°C-8°C up to 4°C in much of this área. The annual precipitation from ranges from 400 mm to 700 mm in much part of this zone.

Practices: Main crops under irrigation are: fruit trees (including vineyard), winter and summer vegetables, cereals, oil crops, pulses and forages. Crops under rain-fed conditions include cereals and pulses.

Located between 37.5° and 50° South. The Regions of La Araucanía, Los Lagos, Los Ríos, Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo are the administrative units. This area is one of the most heterogeneous in terms of landscapes and economic activities. With a climate that gradually becomes more humid, the terrain is covered with extensive forests and numerous lakes. The termal regime in La Araucanía Region during the month of January goes from 22°C in the coastal zone and increases up to 27°C to the East, then decreases to 20C° to the East and then up to 8°C-15°C. From West to East the minimum temperature in the month of July ranges from 6°C up to 4°C in much of this área. Anual precipitation ranges from 1000 mm to 2000 mm from North to South and up to 3,000 mm to 3,500 mm to the East. In the case of Los Ríos and Los Lagos Regions, the termal regime during the month of January decreases from 24°C-25°C to 14°C-16° from north to south. The minimum temperature in the month of July decreases 6°C to -4°C from west to east. Anual precipitation ranges from 1200 mm to 4000 mm from East to West.

Practices: Crop production is rain-dependant. In the central plains some areas are cultivated under irrigation with sugarbeet, oil crops, potato and raspberry. Sugarbeet and cereals are also cultivated under rain-fed conditions. Livestock production (meat and milk)