Chile’s newly appointed Undersecretary of Agriculture discusses the ministry’s key areas of focus, emphasizing progress in opening new markets, promoting sustainable production, and enhancing food security. Espinoza, a lawyer who assumed office last May, has 17 years of experience at the Ministry of Agriculture, where he has held key leadership roles that showcase his strategic leadership, management skills, and dedication to strengthening the institution and supporting sustainable rural development. In this interview with ChileCarne, he underscores the strategic importance of the meat industry in the agricultural export agenda and the need for effective public-private collaboration to support competitive, resilient production with a uniquely Chilean identity.
What are the main challenges you see for the ministry in this new phase?
We’ve faced a variety of challenges over the years and have made significant progress since this administration took office. One of these is expanding into new markets. Thanks to the efforts of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), the Office of Agricultural Research and Policies (ODEPA), and ProChile (the Chilean Exports Promotion Bureau), we have been able to establish and open up new, valuable markets for Chilean agriculture. The recent openings of Indonesia and India are clear examples of this.
Another priority for our government has been strengthening peasant and Indigenous family farming, a vital driver for the country’s food security. The Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP) has enhanced technical assistance and development programs, helping thousands of small farmers increase their productivity and gain access to new tools and technologies. We’ve also promoted the inclusion of women and young people in rural areas by developing targeted programs for these groups.
Additionally, water scarcity remains a significant challenge across our country. Water efficiency is vital, supported by advanced mechanized irrigation systems and better water infrastructure, including investments in reservoirs and canals that ensure equitable storage and distribution. Thanks to the excellent efforts of the National Irrigation Commission (CNR), we improved the Irrigation Law, opening new opportunities for women, cooperatives, and peasant family farming to access financial support.
Another major challenge is adapting to and mitigating climate change. Extreme weather events are happening more often and threaten our agricultural production. The focus has been on moving toward a more sustainable and resilient agriculture, encouraging practices that help the sector adapt to these new conditions. We’re also building the ministry’s capacity to manage disaster risks effectively, working closely with key programs like “Chile Feeds the Future,” supported by the Inter-American Development Bank.
The program includes a component to support INDAP’s overhaul and another to strengthen SAG’s capabilities in maintaining Chile’s agricultural health. This is not only crucial for keeping access to international markets but is also the foundation for the industry’s growth.
When it comes to food products, what are your main priorities, especially in terms of food security and sustainable production?
Most of our administration’s priorities are coordinated through “Chile Feeds the Future,” which is the foundation for two vital pillars: food security and sustainable production. The investment program, which is focused on technical (people) and technological (equipment and systems) capacities for the ministry’s leading agencies, was created as a roadmap to help our industry continue to produce quality food responsibly and reaching every part of Chile and many regions around the world.
The program supports the efforts of the Foundation for Agricultural Innovation (FIA) and the technological institutes under our ministry to promote innovation. I should also acknowledge the work of the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) in transferring sustainable and regenerative practices to all groups of producers, as well as developing more resilient breeds that are better adapted to water stress conditions and have the lowest environmental impact.
Along these lines, INDAP has been implementing the Sustainable Agriculture Transition (TAS) program, promoting practices that reduce the use of inputs with negative impacts.
All these efforts focused on achieving better sustainable production standards are a hallmark of this administration and a commitment to Chile’s future, which in turn contributes to global efforts to halt environmental damage and reverse it where possible. These actions are also part of a larger, ongoing effort: our Sovereignty Strategy for Food Security.
In your opinion, what part does the meat industry play in Chile’s agricultural export strategy?
The meat sector plays a vital role in the country’s agricultural export strategy. It has been involved in all bilateral and multilateral negotiations since Chile signed its first free trade agreements. The sector remains involved today, participating in trade missions, international negotiations, promotional activities, and sectoral branding supported by ProChile with funding from the Undersecretariat of Agriculture.
It is crucial to stay on this path of promoting Chile as a dependable and sustainable supplier of quality meat to feed the world.
What steps is the ministry taking to diversify Chilean white meat export destinations or to open new markets, considering the growing requirements of international markets?
Under President Gabriel Boric’s administration, the Ministry of Agriculture is committed to expanding export destinations for the agricultural and forestry sector, especially for strategic products like white meats. That’s why we are promoting the Sustainable Agri-Export Competitiveness Agenda, which aims to open new markets and strengthen existing ones.
Some significant developments include the reopening of the Chinese poultry market, updating Chinese protocols for poultry and pork, and implementing zoning schemes with the United States and Canada. We are also actively negotiating with Japan, South Korea, India, and the Philippines, while strengthening our presence in Southeast Asia through the opening of a new Agricultural Attaché Office in Vietnam. Thanks to the collaboration between the Agricultural Attaché, SAG, and ODEPA, we recently hosted a technical visit by Vietnamese inspectors, a crucial step toward advancing health negotiations that had been stalled for over a decade.
The situation is similar in India, where a new Agricultural Attaché Office was recently opened. This coincided with the visit of a Chilean public-private delegation led by the President, aimed at expanding access to this critical market with strong growth potential.
Public-private collaboration has yielded results. For example, from March 2022 to May 2025, 70 health and animal health authorizations and trade facilitation processes were completed with 23 markets, including those for agricultural, livestock, forestry, and agro-industrial products. This milestone not only opens new markets but also reinforces Chile’s reputation as a model for quality and safety, helping to overcome restrictions that impact other exporting countries.
It’s important to note that these achievements have been made possible through coordinated efforts with the private sector, SAG, ODEPA, ProChile, and the Undersecretariat of Agriculture, which has played a key role in promoting our exports. Our ministry reaffirms its commitment to further strengthening this public-private collaboration to open new markets and unlock the potential of various agricultural products, including white meats, which already have a strong presence in many countries.
How is the ministry assisting the private sector in consolidating a national strategy for agricultural sustainability, particularly in the white meat industry?
The Ministry of Agriculture strongly supports the Chile Conscious Origin Program, a sustainability standard where white meats have been at the forefront. The program sets strict standards, in agreement with trade associations, to ensure agricultural production meets environmental, social, and animal welfare requirements.
In 2025, we revised the handbooks and tools to improve progress traceability and, for the first time, shared them directly with consumers with official support. The dairy sector will be the first to implement this, and we expect the white meat sector to follow suit with full compliance, given its maturity and leadership in sustainable practices.
Additionally, we are leading the Sustainability Working Group of the Agri-Food Export Council, where, along with ProChile and trade associations, we are developing a national narrative around agri-food sustainability. In 2024, we carried out a technical assessment of regulatory frameworks and sector initiatives, and this year, we will create a strong communications plan that highlights progress with consistent and credible storytelling, especially in the most demanding markets.
Our vision is for both storytelling and Chile Conscious Origin to become complementary tools that help differentiate Chile’s exports. We are collaborating with Agricultural Attachés to position these attributes around the globe, as we firmly believe that sustainability is not just a requirement for competing in demanding markets, but a strategic advantage for Chile, due to the progress we’ve made with the sector. Today, sustainability can set us apart and reflect Chile’s commitment to a modern, responsible, and internationally respected agriculture and livestock sector.
What role should public-private collaboration, particularly with organizations like ChileCarne, have in the growth of the sector?
Public-private collaboration is essential for the success of both the sector and the country. It is undeniably a vital and strategic part of our approach to achieving success. For the agricultural industry, it is the best way to move forward.
Collaboration is vital because it provides a more comprehensive and realistic view of the sector. While the Ministry of Agriculture, through its various agencies, is responsible for policymaking and ensuring health, safety, and equitable development, associations like ChileCarne offer technical expertise and the hands-on experience of producers and exporters. By working together, we develop better public policy.
Collaboration also accelerates decision-making and the implementation of solutions. When the public and private sectors work together, our response to health crises, climate events, or market shifts is much quicker and better coordinated. This gives Chilean meat supply chains significant resilience. We’ve already seen this in several instances, such as the avian influenza outbreaks our country has faced.
Public-private collaboration is the way to maintain a competitive agricultural export sector that is capable of facing future challenges with a shared vision and coordinated action.
What makes the Chilean meat industry unique, and what is your message about its importance and potential?
The Chilean meat industry comprises many components that as a whole provide us with a competitive edge in both domestic and international markets.
One of our core pillars is our health status. Thanks to SAG’s rigorous efforts and the ongoing commitment of producers, Chile has managed to stay free of diseases that affect other countries. We also benefit from the dedication and performance of Chilean companies. They ensure a safe and reliable product, valued by the most demanding countries. This health status and competitiveness are widely recognized, along with Chile’s ability to diversify markets and adapt to changes in domestic and international regulations. Overall, it is a significant contribution to the country’s growth, generating economic activity and new jobs. The strong global demand for animal protein, in a context where food safety and sustainability are crucial for markets, leads us to expect excellent results going forward.
