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Chile and the Stone Pine: A New Agroforestry Frontier with International Potential

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In an interview with Acoforag, Verónica Loewe, Head of Projects and International Relations at the Forestry Institute (INFOR) and Lead Researcher at the National Center of Excellence for the Wood Industry, discussed the development of the stone pine (Pinus pinea) as an innovative and sustainable option for Chile.

Native to the Mediterranean basin, this pine has been part of humanity's food history since prehistoric times. "Even Neanderthals consumed it," notes Loewe, highlighting its nutritional, cultural, and economic value. Mediterranean pine nuts are the most expensive nuts in the world, and their global demand—exceeding 20,000 unmet tons—represents a unique opportunity for Chile.

Although this species was introduced around 200 years ago by European immigrants and used by figures like Federico Albert in dune stabilization programs, its commercial cultivation only began to consolidate in the last decade. In 2013, there were barely 100 hectares planted in the country. Today, thanks to the work led by Loewe and her team, it exceeds 5,000 hectares, with an estimated 6,000 hectares by the end of this winter. Growth has been steady and, notably, without the need for subsidies.

The stone pine has shown excellent adaptation to conditions in central-southern Chile, from Valparaíso to La Araucanía, especially due to its low water requirements and ability to grow even in poor soils. It produces in winter, allowing the use of labor and machinery during the off-season for other crops.

One of the major current challenges is consolidating a collection network to enable small and medium-sized producers to market their pine nuts. "They call us saying: I have pine cones, what do I do?" shares Loewe. Although private interest is growing, progress in infrastructure and collaboration is needed to strengthen the value chain.

The INFOR team has developed manuals and technical guides to support new producers, along with establishing management and planting protocols, as there was previously no cultivation culture for stone pine—not even in Europe, where it is harvested directly from native forests.

Finally, Verónica Loewe emphasizes that this nut not only has outstanding functional properties—35% protein, more than meat—but also represents a concrete opportunity for sustainable development and productive diversification in Chile's forestry sector. "We have the knowledge, the conditions, and the interest. Now, we need to continue coordinating efforts so Chile becomes a global reference in stone pine cultivation," she concludes.

The full interview is available on Acoforag’s YouTube channel: