Aplicación de la Norma Chilena Oficial de denominación de origen botánico de la miel para la caracterización de la producción apícola

Abstract

Chilean apicultural production is characterized by a great variety of honey types with a high percentage of nectar from native plant species. The proportion of nectar from native plants associated with the high endemism of the Chilean fl ora results in the production of honeys with special characteristics. Approximately95% of the honey produced in Chile is exported in bulk without added value and accounts for 1% of the world honey trade. The differentiation of Chilean honeys on the basis of theirparticular biological origins represents one way to improve their competitive value on the international market. The application of a traceability system and the establishment of the Chilean standard (NCh2881.Of2005), which determines the botanical origin of a given honeyby a melissopalynological test, represent two important advances toward differentiation. In order to determine the botanical and geographical characteristics of Chilean honey, 240 honeysamples from two consecutive harvesting seasons were studied using the recently approved norm. The results demonstrate that there are two main areas of production. The fi rst area has a Mediterranean climate (Chile’s Central zone, 30º to 36º S). The honeys produced there are endemic unifl oral and native multifl oral, and they represent diverse species. The second area transitions to a humid temperate climate (Central South zone of Chile 36º to 43º S), and the honey produced there includes native and non-native unifl oral and native multifl oral varieties with restricted botanical diversity.