Industrial oilseed crops in Chile: Current situation and future potential

Abstract

Industrial crops are becoming increasingly relevant as raw materials for different goods and services. Although there are many oilseed crops with industrial purposes, data about their production in Chile are scarce because the definition used by the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies places agro‐industrial and industrial crops in the same category. Here, we review the available information about 12 industrial oleaginous crops at different levels of development (four native, two adventive and six introduced crops). Most of these crops have been evaluated for or are related to biodiesel production, despite the lack of commercial biodiesel production in Chile. Jojoba was the first industrial oilseed produced commercially in Chile; however, every year its production area decreases, and currently it does not exceed 100 ha. Sunflower and rapeseed, which are the first generation of raw materials for biodiesel production, have been poorly studied in Chile despite the large number of studies available on them worldwide. Camelina and castor bean have recently been studied; the former is produced in the south, while the latter is produced on the coastline in northern Chile. Further research is needed to improve the production and adaptation of these oilseed crops to climatic conditions in Chile; moreover, a new market must be opened to produce and commercialize their oils. Oilseed species native to Chile have not been extensively studied, and they represent an interesting option suitable for production under Chilean climatic conditions; this is particularly true for guindilla and chañar, because both can grow under different abiotic stresses. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.