It may sound cliché, but the fig tree is a biblical plant, very ancient. Its fruits are well-known, sweet, and universally enjoyed. Why? It's a robust plant that adapts well to adverse conditions, making it an easy tree to grow, with double flowering and a long harvest. In the past, almost every house had one or more fig trees. In country homes, it's a must-have.
Today, in addition to these sentimental and, for many, nostalgic reasons, commercial fig orchards are practically nonexistent due to the long harvest period and the short shelf life of the fruit. Indeed, figs are highly perishable, which presents a challenge for many farmers.
However, for small producers, this is an ideal fruit, since its market prices are high and there is the option of dehydrating it and using it in baking, such as the famous fig and walnut breads, very popular in Spain. This is what led Martín Wielandt, a farmer from Melipilla, to invest in figs. “A good way to make a small plot of land profitable is by planting fig trees. Additionally, I must say that figs aren't stolen,” he assures.
Doble Valle was founded in 2011. In 2023, it produced 90,000 kilos of figs, of which 75,000 were sold fresh and 15,000 were dehydrated, representing approximately 15% of production. “It is important to highlight that there is an international market for dehydrated figs in which Chile does not participate. It is unexplored,” asserts Martín Wielandt.
Since commercial production began four years ago, Doble Valle's volumes have doubled. New marketing channels and new business lines have been opened. In addition to fresh figs, there are dried figs, and, notably, fig coffee, which has great potential.
Doble Valle is also consolidating its plant production, both for internal growth and for sale to new growers, with the capacity to produce over 20,000 plants per year. It has sold plants to the third, fourth, and fifth regions, including Freirina, Huentelauquén, Santo Domingo, and La Calera.
“Our goal is to popularize fig consumption, transforming it from an exotic fruit into a mass-market staple. We expect fig production to grow, leading to increased consumption. Regarding dehydrated figs, we produce Fig Coffee, a very old and popular product in rural Chile. This is the kind of product with infinite growth potential, thanks to its rich flavor, its wholesome and natural qualities, and its low marketing costs. Mass production of this product represents a tremendous opportunity for food entrepreneurs,” says Wielandt.
Resistant to climate change
Studies have shown that plantations with irrigation treatments below the norm for a commercial fruit tree have not demonstrated significant differences in fruit yield. While the specific size of some fruits may be affected, overall production remains unaffected.
“On the contrary, what I have observed in areas of my orchard that have received less irrigation is that the trees have produced a greater quantity of fruit. I have also been able to observe, in abandoned farmhouses, old fig trees that survive year after year without being irrigated, and maintain their productivity,” says Martín Wielandt.
Characteristics
The fig tree flowers twice a year. In December and January it produces brebas (first flowering), and in March, April, and May it produces figs (second flowering). Brebas develop on the branches of previous years, while figs are produced on the current year's shoots. This means that when winter pruning is carried out, the brebas developing on the older branches are removed. Furthermore, removing the older branches rejuvenates the tree and stimulates the growth of the current year's shoots, which will then be laden with figs.
For this reason, fig trees that are not pruned will produce a high yield of brebas (early figs). Severe pruning will direct the tree's production towards regular figs. With moderate pruning, leaving older branches, brebas will be produced, and new shoots will also grow from which figs will be harvested.
The breva and the fig are scarce, expensive, and in high demand. The current water conditions and favorable Mediterranean climate make the areas between Angol and Arica ideal planting locations. Furthermore, these fruits have great industrial potential.
Published in Diario Estrategia, Monday, September 4, 2023
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