This week begins the Chilean almond harvest season 2021 (in Ovalle).
To begin the harvest is calculated approximately one month from the beginning of the opening of the peel.
There are 2 types of harvesting:
• Manual: manual removal → filling of bins → transport to processing plant.
Consider: labor and long harvesting time.
• Mechanized: Mechanized removal → mechanized sweeping and blowing → mechanized picking and transport in carts to processing plant.
Consider: high initial investment, requires skilled labor, requires orchards prepared for mechanization, leveling and cleaning.
• Drying: A thin layer (3 cm) should be applied both in drying beds and between rows and turned daily to achieve uniform drying. Humidity should be equal to or less than 6%.