Rafael was born into a Chilean grower family and has been connected to agriculture from an early age. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Catholic University of Chile and a Master of Science in Economics from Humboldt University in Germany. In 2009, he co-founded FRUNUT, a growers’ company expert in the production and export of walnuts and hazelnuts. The company cultivates hazelnut varieties such as Giffoni, Barcelona, and Yamhill, and operates as a vertically integrated business offering services including orchard management, technical advisory, and drying and packing facilities. Rafael is a member of the Hazelnut Committee of Chile, where he works closely on the development of strategic goals for the industry.
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