The 2026 season is showing yields per hectare below initial projections, along with a decline in larger kernel sizes, although internal nut quality remains strong.
Chile’s walnut harvest is entering its final stage, with progress nearing 75%. While the southern regions have already completed harvest activities, central and northern areas remain active, in many cases carrying out final passes.
From a production standpoint, the season has fallen short of initial expectations. This adjustment comes despite strong performance in previous years, when some orchards achieved yields above 8 tons per hectare, supported by technical management practices such as pruning and fertilization.
One of the key factors this season has been the decline in large calibers, particularly in categories such as 36+, which are now virtually absent in volume. This trend is also observed in Argentina, where, despite an increase in overall production, a significant reduction in larger sizes has been reported.
In terms of quality, the overall assessment remains positive: kernel fill is good and color is light. However, in the Metropolitan Region and the O’Higgins Region, a higher incidence of shell staining has been observed, particularly in the second half of the harvest. This is expected to put downward pressure on the availability of premium in-shell export supply.
At the national level, preliminary estimates place total production between 160,000 and 165,000 tons.
As the harvest reaches its final stretch, the market is facing reduced availability of larger calibers, which is expected to impact the commercial dynamics of the season.
