Pitahaya and rambutan are two exotic fruits that are a sensation in the province of Chanchamayo, in the region of Junin, and that are currently being produced for export purposes; to date, producers have planted some 250 hectares of these new alternative fruits.
These productions have high levels of productivity, especially the pitahaya, which is harvested three times a year.
Producers are growing four varieties of pitahaya: one yellow variety and three red ones. However, according to the producers, the yellow variety is the most accepted by the national market.
"In recent years, in view of the success we are having with this crop, many people have become interested in growing it. The advantage is that it is a fruit native to America and Peru. We have achieved growing it in the Amazons and San Martin. In San Ramón we have isolated plantations in the forest; that's why we became interested in venturing into this new crop," said Segundo Velo Ames, a producer from San Ramon.
Currently, the production and the markets are very small, but the expectations are high, since it is an excellent digestive and antioxidant product.
In the past, the now defunct Pronamachs program, encouraged the production of this crop in the Amazon and San Martin regions. Now, its been adopted by the district of San Ramon, in Chanchamayo; but this time securing the market.
Rambutan, which is also a seasonal fruit, as it's only harvested in February and March, is a plantation that is in development and is already expanding in the area.
"We have sent samples to Europe and Japan, but we still do not have enough production volume to export; now we hope to increase the volume because when we start producing the national market absorbs the whole offer," said San Ramon producer Reynaldo Camarena.
Golden pineapple is a traditional crop that also has a positioned market and supports these new products, which are produced in Chanchamayo and that were presented to a delegation of German businessmen who arrived for a business conference and the international fruit forum in La Merced.
Source: Agencia Andina