Nourishing land. Nourishing avocados.
Chile’s growing regions.
Chile is the longest country in the world. Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, it is a narrow strip of land with more than 2,670 miles of coastline and an average width of 117 miles.
Everything about the Chilean landscape is remarkable, from the snow-capped glaciers of Patagonia, to the colorful homes overlooking the bay in Valparaiso, to the intense blue lagoons in the Atacama Desert. The country is a kaleidoscope of color and culture with a history as rich as the soil and a future that’s equally promising.
Sustainability.
Chile’s unusually diverse geography offers excellent growing conditions, with avocados a prime and renowned crop. The biggest avocado producing areas are in two fertile valleys, with their frost-free climate, and pure water from three rivers. Avocado trees are one of the few species that can be cultivated commercially on hillsides, with the advantage of growing frost-free, as the cold air moves quickly to lower altitudes. The majority of the groves planted in the last ten years have been established on hillside locations. Climatic conditions in Chile produce avocados of outstanding quality. There are approximately 71,660 acres of avocado groves under cultivation in Chile today.
Chilean people & culture.
Today, Chile has a population of over 19 million, comprised of people from many different national and ethnic backgrounds. A melting pot of people and passions has built a country with efficient transportation and communications services including a world-class seaport, airport and logistical infrastructure that easily bridge the distance that separates Chile from markets around the world. Chile has built an economy based on a responsible attitude toward work, shared goals and growing produce of exceptional quality.
Who are we? The Chilean Avocado Importers Association.
Dedicated to bringing you the absolute best.
The Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA) is composed of Chilean avocado importers, exporters, and producers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Association’s main objective is to conduct market development activities and promotions to increase the consumption of Chilean Hass Avocados in the United States. Established in 2002, CAIA operates under the guidelines of the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research and Information Order.
Contact Us
Contact Form
About CAIA
Merchandising Team
Western Region
Steve Hattendorf
T. 916.206.2855
E. hatt523@aol.com
Great Lakes, Central & Eastern
Allison Myers
T. 913.940.0510
E. allismyers@gmail.com
Board of Directors
Raimundo Lira – Chairperson
Propal, S.A.
Jose Gabriel Correa – Vice Chairperson
Comité de Paltas Hass de Chile
Sebastian Bulnes – Secretary
Exportadora El Parque
Debbie Willmann – Treasurer
Index Fresh
Kellen Newhouse
West Pak Avocado
Chris Henry
Giumarra International
Carson McDaniel
McDaniel Fruit Company
Patrick Lucy
Del Rey Avocados
Rigo Perez/Brock Becker
Mission Produce
Carmen Gloria Luttges
Westfalia Fruit
Juan Pablo Cerda
Cabilfruit, S.A.
Gonzalo Gajardo
Subsole
Executive Staff
Karen Brux
Managing Director
Chilean Avocado Importers Association
1682 Laurel Street, Unit C
San Carlos, CA 94070
T. 650.654.0777
E. karenbrux@gmail.com
Importer Members
Del Rey Avocado Co.
The Giumarra Companies of Escondido
Index Fresh Inc.
McDaniel Fruit Company
Mission Produce Inc.
West Pak Avocado, Inc.
Exporter Members
Cabilfrut, S.A.
Exportadora Baika, S.A.
Exportadora El Parque
Exportadora Subsole, S.A.
Propal, S.A.
Westalia Fruits
Subsole