In 2025, the Chilean pork sector will commemorate four decades of joint efforts with the public sector. During this period, it has evolved from an emerging industry to a global leader in quality, health, and sustainability, thanks to the Association of Pig Producers (ASPROCER).
In 1985, Chile exported just 500 tons of pork per year; today, that figure has reached 343,000 tons, generating $753 million USD in revenue. This has established Chile as the world’s fifth-largest exporter, with a significant presence in over 60 markets, particularly in Asia.
These achievements have been largely thanks to joint efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural and Livestock Service, the Undersecretary for International Economic Affairs, and ProChile. This public-private partnership has made it possible to develop and maintain high standards of health and safety in pig farming, while also opening up and retaining new markets for our products.
Exports have been the primary catalyst for the sector’s growth, which has also led to the expansion of the domestic market. Domestic production has increased from 66,000 tons in 1985 to over 585,000 tons today, while per capita consumption has tripled over the same period, reaching 19.7 kilograms per person per year. Today, pork is the second most produced protein in Chile (38% of the total), the third most consumed, and the most exported (58% share). “Long-term public-private collaboration has been the cornerstone for achieving development in the sector. This, combined with Chile’s geographic advantages that prevent the entry of diseases that could harm output, and a supply chain approach with attention to detail at every stage of animal farming, has enabled Chilean pork to position itself in the world’s largest destination markets,” says Juan Carlos Domínguez, President of ChileCarne.
In addition to its economic contribution, which includes more than 19,000 direct jobs and a presence in 56 rural communities throughout Chile, the sector has led significant advances in sustainability over the last 20 years. This has been achieved through the implementation of advanced technologies in more than 80% of domestic production, as well as the adoption of circular economy practices. The sector has also reduced water consumption by 69% and recirculates 62% of the water used for cleaning. Furthermore, it generates organic biofertilizers that benefit more than 3,500 farmers and 6,000 hectares each year. Another key benefit of implementing these technologies is the reduction in odor emissions. As a result, 50% of facilities have already complied with the new regulations, well ahead of the 2027 deadline. Furthermore, 37% of fossil fuel consumption in pig farms has been replaced by renewable sources, contributing to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per pig produced in 2023 compared to the base year.
Despite these achievements, structural challenges persist that must be overcome to continue growth and consolidate efforts to develop a world-class pig industry in Chile. These challenges include creating a more effective land-use policy that supports the coexistence of diverse activities within the same territory, as well as the urgent need to streamline the permitting process and provide legal certainty for productive activities.
Production has stagnated in recent years. Thirty-three of the fifty producers that were operating in 2000 have since closed for various reasons, and today there is more than $800 million USD in unspent investment in improvement and growth projects. The vast majority of these projects were rejected by the Environmental Impact Assessment System or subsequently challenged in court after approval, resulting in nearly 10,300 direct jobs that were not created, as well as a lost opportunity for sustainable growth. “The sector has stagnated due to complex structural causes: territorial planning and multiple misaligned regulations that result in legal uncertainty, as well as growing pressure on the sector. This pressure has forced companies to invest in improvements, professionalize their operations, and expand into new areas of activity, while also rethinking their relationship with communities and their environment,” said ChileCarne’s president.
At a time when Chile needs to restart its economic growth, this sector of the economy can help create lasting, high-quality jobs and supply Chile and the world with food produced to the highest quality standards. Our commitment as a sector remains steadfast: to ensure that Chilean pork maintains its reputation in Chile and around the world for its quality, safety, and sustainability, delivering the highest-quality pork to the tables of families everywhere.
