Farm Corner
Linares is farming country: the province grows most of Chile's rice and lives off cereals, vegetables, legumes and livestock. Here we bring together what farmers need day to day: the weather for the fields, today's wholesale prices and the area's farm services.
7-day forecast for the city of Linares. Temperatures are measured 2 meters above the ground: in low-lying areas and at ground level, frost can be harder.
No frost risk in the next 7 days
Today
4° / 18°
No frost5 Mon
5° / 14°
No frost6 Tue
11° / 13°
No frost7 Wed
10° / 16°
No frost8 Thu
5° / 18°
No frost9 Fri
8° / 19°
No frost10 Sat
8° / 18°
No frostET0 (reference evapotranspiration): millimeters of water a reference crop loses per day; useful to estimate how much to irrigate. Source: Open-Meteo.
Average prices reported by ODEPA (Chile's agricultural policy office) for the Macroferia Regional de Talca, the region's wholesale market. Produce grown in the province of Linares and in Maule is listed first.
Prices for October 2, 2026 · Macroferia Regional de Talca
| Product | Variety / grade | Unit | Avg. price | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espárragos | Verde · Primera | kilo | $1.000 | Linares Provincia de Linares |
| Manzana | Granny Smith · Segunda | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $11.000 | Maule Provincia de Curicó |
| Manzana | Granny Smith · Primera | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $13.000 | Maule Provincia de Curicó |
| Manzana | Fuji royal · Primera | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $13.000 | Maule Provincia de Curicó |
| Manzana | Granny Smith · Especial | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $15.000 | Maule Provincia de Curicó |
| Manzana | Fuji royal · Especial | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $15.000 | Maule Provincia de Curicó |
| Acelga | Primera | docena de atados (4 kilos) | $2.500 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Betarraga | Primera | paquete 5 unidades | $1.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Brócoli | Primera | unidad | $1.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Lechuga | Marina · Primera | caja 12 unidades | $7.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Lechuga | Española · Primera | caja 12 unidades | $7.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Lechuga | Conconina(o) · Primera | caja 10 unidades | $7.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Papa | Asterix · 1a (guarda lavada) | malla 25 kilos | $19.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Papa | Rosara · 1a (guarda) | saco 25 kilos | $16.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Pepino ensalada | Primera | caja 80 unidades | $18.000 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Repollo | Crespo record · Segunda | unidad | $1.700 | Maule Región del Maule |
| Product | Variety / grade | Unit | Avg. price | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chirimoya | Cultivar IV Región · Especial | bandeja 10 kilos | $24.000 | Provincia de Limarí |
| Chirimoya | Cultivar IV Región · Extra (doble especial) | bandeja 10 kilos | $26.000 | Provincia de Limarí |
| Frutilla | Segunda | bandeja 7 kilos | $5.000 | Provincia de Melipilla |
| Frutilla | Primera | bandeja 7 kilos | $7.000 | Provincia de Melipilla |
| Frutilla | Especial | bandeja 7 kilos | $10.375 | Provincia de Melipilla |
| Limón | 1a amarillo | malla 18 kilos | $6.000 | Provincia de Limarí |
| Limón | 1a amarillo | bandeja 18 kilos | $6.000 | Provincia de Limarí |
| Limón | 1a amarillo | malla 14 kilos | $4.000 | Región de O'Higgins |
| Naranja | Navel Late · Segunda | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $5.000 | Región de O'Higgins |
| Naranja | Navel Late · Primera | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $7.000 | Región de O'Higgins |
| Naranja | Lane Late · Primera | bandeja 15 kilos granel | $7.000 | Región de O'Higgins |
| Palta | Hass · Especial nueva (o) | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $3.500 | Provincia de Quillota |
| Palta | Hass · 1a nueva(o) | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $3.200 | Provincia de Quillota |
| Palta | Edranol · Segunda | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $1.800 | Provincia de Quillota |
| Palta | Edranol · Primera | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $2.000 | Provincia de Quillota |
| Palta | Edranol · Especial | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $2.200 | Provincia de Quillota |
| Palta | Hass · Especial nueva (o) | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $3.500 | Provincia de Limarí |
| Palta | Hass · 2a nueva(o) | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $3.000 | Provincia de Limarí |
| Palta | Hass · 1a nueva(o) | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $3.200 | Provincia de Limarí |
| Palta | Hass · Tercera | bandeja 10 kilos | $28.000 | Perú |
| Palta | Hass · Segunda | bandeja 10 kilos | $33.000 | Perú |
| Palta | Hass · Primera | bandeja 10 kilos | $35.000 | Perú |
| Palta | Fuerte · Segunda | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $1.800 | Región de O'Higgins |
| Palta | Fuerte · Primera | kilo (en caja de 17 kilos) | $2.000 | Región de O'Higgins |
| Plátano | Primera Pintón | caja 20 kilos | $30.000 | Ecuador |
| Ajo | Chino · Primera | malla 10 kilos | $19.000 | China |
| Apio | Americana (o) · Primera | docena de matas | $12.000 | Provincia del Elquí |
| Cebolla | 1a nueva(o) | paquete 10 unidades (volumen en unidades) | $2.500 | Región de O'Higgins |
| Lechuga | Escarola · Primera | caja 15 unidades | $15.000 | Provincia del Elquí |
| Pepino ensalada | Primera | caja 60 unidades | $20.000 | Región de Arica y Parinacota |
| Tomate | Larga vida · Primera | bandeja 18 kilos | $23.000 | Región de Arica y Parinacota |
| Zanahoria | Primera | saco 20 kilos | $18.000 | Región de Ñuble |
| Zapallo italiano | Primera | caja 50 unidades | $20.000 | Región de Arica y Parinacota |
| Zapallo italiano | Primera | caja 50 unidades | $18.000 | Región de O'Higgins |
Source: ODEPA, Ministry of Agriculture (open data, CC BY license). Product names as published by ODEPA, in Spanish. datos.odepa.gob.cl
Key for exporters and anyone buying imported farm supplies.
The province's signature crop, accounting for most of Chile's production. The country's biggest rice buyers, Tucapel and Carozzi, have receiving and processing plants near the growing area. In January 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture showcased demonstration plots of the new Jaspe FLAR variety in Linares together with Carozzi-Tucapel.
Apples, blueberries and cherries are the main fruits packed in Linares for markets such as China, the European Union, the United States and Taiwan. Several packing plants operate along Route 5 South and the roads to Panimávida and San Antonio.
Wheat, corn and oats; vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, chard and beetroot; and legumes such as beans. Many of these Maule vegetables are sold daily at the Macroferia Regional de Talca.
For almost 60 years it had its own industry in the city with the IANSA plant. After it closed in 2018, local beet was processed outside the province, and for the 2026–2027 season IANSA announced it will not contract beet in Chile.
Water is the foundation of farming in Linares. In the Linares foothills, the Ancoa Reservoir stores up to 80 million cubic meters from the Ancoa River during the rains and snowmelt and releases it in summer to irrigate more than 35,000 hectares in southern Maule. It opened on January 14, 2013, and raised irrigation security for its more than 3,000 irrigators from 30% to 85%.
River and canal water is managed by the users' own organizations, such as the Ancoa River Watch Board (Junta de Vigilancia del Río Ancoa). To modernize irrigation, the National Irrigation Commission (CNR) subsidizes projects under the Irrigation Law (Law 18,450), and INDAP offers special incentives for small farmers.
Public offices that serve farmers, farm supply stores, fruit packing plants and irrigation companies in the area.
Export fruit packing plant
Fresh fruit packing plant registered in SAG's export program: receiving, sorting, packing and cold storage for export fruit. It usually hires staff during the season; ask them directly about jobs and fruit intake.
Export fruit packing plant
Fresh fruit packing plant registered in SAG's export program: receiving, sorting, packing and cold storage for export fruit. It usually hires staff during the season; ask them directly about jobs and fruit intake.
Export fruit packing plant
Fresh fruit packing plant registered in SAG's export program: receiving, sorting, packing and cold storage for export fruit. It usually hires staff during the season; ask them directly about jobs and fruit intake.
Farm supplies
CALS branch, a farming and dairy cooperative with farm supply stores: livestock feed and veterinary products, fertilizers, seeds, crop protection and dairy supplies.
Farm supplies
Coagra branch, a farm supply company: fertilizers, seeds, crop protection, plant nutrition and sales advice for local growers.
Farm supplies
Copeval branch, a distributor of farm supplies and services: fertilizers, seeds, agrochemicals, irrigation, farm hardware and technical advice.
Farm supplies
Farm supply store in downtown Linares: seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, plants, and supplies for farm and garden.
Export fruit packing plant
Fresh fruit packing plant registered in SAG's export program: receiving, sorting, packing and cold storage for export fruit. It usually hires staff during the season; ask them directly about jobs and fruit intake.
Public service for farming
Agency of the Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP) for small family farmers: loans, technical assistance programs (PRODESAL, SAT, PDTI), and incentives for irrigation, investment and marketing.
Farm supplies
Farm supply distributor in Linares: fertilizers, seeds and crop protection products for local farmers.
Modern irrigation projects
Linares-based modern irrigation company: agronomic design, hydraulic plans and water calculations, installation of irrigation systems, pump houses and water storage tanks, with agronomists, agricultural engineers and farm technicians.
Public service for farming
Municipal office that runs the Local Development Program (PRODESAL) with INDAP: on-farm technical assistance and incentives for small farmers and rural families in the area.
Public service for farming
Office of the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) for Linares, Longaví, Colbún, Yerbas Buenas, Villa Alegre, San Javier and Maule: plant and animal health, farm and livestock registration, certifications, livestock transit permits, pesticide inspection and forestry procedures.
Farm supplies
Tattersall Agro branch, a farm supply and machinery company: fertilizers, seeds, crop protection, irrigation and farm machinery sales.
Export fruit packing plant
Fresh fruit packing plant registered in SAG's export program: receiving, sorting, packing and cold storage for export fruit. It usually hires staff during the season; ask them directly about jobs and fruit intake.
1959
IANSA's sugar plant in Linares starts operating, bringing contract farming of sugar beet to the area.
2013
The Ancoa Reservoir opens: 80 million m³ to irrigate more than 35,000 hectares.
2018
IANSA permanently closes its Linares plant and concentrates production in Los Ángeles and San Carlos.
2021
In the 2020–2021 season, Linares accounts for 31% of the export fruit boxes inspected in Maule.
2025
Demonstration plots of the new Jaspe FLAR rice variety in Linares.
2026
IANSA announces it will not contract local sugar beet for the 2026–2027 season.
According to the Provincial Government of Linares, the province is Chile's leading rice producer: about 78% of the national crop comes from its fields, mainly around Parral. Cereals such as wheat, corn and oats also stand out, along with vegetables like sugar beet, cabbage, lettuce and chard, and legumes such as beans.
Sugar beet had its own industry in the city for decades: IANSA's sugar plant in Linares operated until 2018, when the company closed it for good to concentrate production in Los Ángeles and San Carlos. In 2026, IANSA also announced it will not contract sugar beet from local growers for the 2026–2027 season, a blow to beet farmers in the area.
Sources: Gobernación Provincial de Linares · Diario Financiero (2018) · MOP – Embalse Ancoa · Minagri – exportaciones del Maule · Minagri – arroz Jaspe FLAR (2025) · ODEPA – La cadena del arroz · Historias de Linares – IANSA · La Tercera (2026)
At Kurt Möller 777, open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00. Phone (73) 221 0094. It serves Linares, Longaví, Colbún, Yerbas Buenas, Villa Alegre, San Javier and Maule.
At the INDAP Linares Area Agency, Av. Aníbal León Bustos 0493, phone (73) 261 4027. Small farmers can also visit the Municipality's PRODESAL Farm Office at Freire 452.
This page shows the 7-day forecast with each night's minimum temperature: we flag "frost risk" at 3 °C or below and "frost" at 0 °C or below. In low-lying areas frost can be harder than forecast.
Above we publish the day's wholesale prices at the Macroferia Regional de Talca, reported by ODEPA, with Linares and Maule produce listed first.
Yes, especially during the apple, blueberry and cherry seasons. The Farming category lists the area's packing plants, and our jobs page shows openings posted on the National Job Bank.