Alicahue: Piero Andreani Gioia

With more than six decades of experience, this family-owned company has built a solid reputation in the nut industry by combining tradition with innovation. Dedicated to the production of high-quality, value-added nut products, the company serves both national and international markets while simplifying the distribution chain and acting as a strategic partner for producers. In this interview, Piero Andreani Gioia shares the company’s vision, its commitment to reliability, quality, sustainability, and how a flexible, partnership-driven approach continues to create value across global markets.

Can you introduce Alicahue and its specialization in walnuts?
We are a Chilean company dedicated to the production and export of high-quality walnuts for international markets. We specialize in walnuts both in-shell and shelled, whole and broken, working with the Chandler and Serr varieties. We carefully oversee every stage of the process to deliver a consistent, reliable product tailored to our clients’ requirements.
What are the advantages of the Chandler and Serr varieties in international markets?
The Chandler variety is the most in-demand globally due to its light color, mild flavor, and excellent appearance. It offers a high kernel yield, good uniformity, and an attractive look, making it ideal for retail, direct consumption, and markets that value visual quality and product stability.
The Serr variety stands out for its larger size and more intense flavor. It is appreciated in markets seeking walnuts with greater presence and character, especially for applications where size and flavor profile are key differentiators. In addition, it allows us to diversify our offering and serve different consumer segments.
Both varieties enjoy strong international acceptance and can be adapted to different formats, uses, and market preferences, providing commercial flexibility and competitiveness.
How do hand-cracked and machine-cracked walnuts respond to different market needs?
Hand-cracked walnuts are aimed at premium segments that value presentation, offering intact halves with a superior finish, ideal for specialized retail.
Machine-cracked walnuts make it possible to serve larger volumes efficiently while maintaining consistent quality, making them particularly suitable for the food industry and for clients that require continuity of supply.
What quality controls do you apply from harvest to export?
Quality control begins at harvest, ensuring the fruit is collected at the optimal time. This is followed by controlled drying, size and quality selection, and a careful cracking process according to the final product. Before shipment, the product’s condition and presentation are reviewed to ensure it arrives at the destination market in optimal condition.
What type of partnerships are you looking to develop in the Gulf region?
We aim to develop long-term commercial relationships with importers and distributors in the Gulf region, focused on continuity, trust, and mutual growth. Our goal is to adapt to local market preferences in terms of formats, quality levels, and presentations, building stable and lasting partnerships.

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