The executive director of the Peruvian Table Grape Producers Association (Provid), Carlos Zamorano Macchiavello, stated that the export volume of Peruvian table grapes had increased by 26% in the last 4 seasons, going from 38,797,029 boxes (8.2 kilos each) in the 2016/2017 season to 48,902,542 boxes in the 2019/2020 season.
"Peru's growth as a table grape exporting country clearly shows that we have the right conditions to produce this product. We have the right climate, soil, technical, and human resources," he said.
Zamorano highlighted that Peru has been able to expand its offer with more than 50 varieties of table grapes, adapting to the requirements of the most varied and demanding markets; he also said they had very good productivity rates in the different varieties and very competitive quality levels. This has consolidated the table grape as Peru's main agro-export product, reaching more than 50 countries around the world.
In this regard, Provid has a list of destination markets they want to open for their associates' production, which has been led by Japan for more than 10 years, followed by the Philippines, Australia, Argentina, and Chile.
"The processes with Japan, Argentina, and Chile are almost ready. We have even conducted cold treatment tests, a treatment that would allow us to export to Japan. On the other hand, we are awaiting the initiation of market opening procedures for the Philippines and Australia," he stated.
Zamorano added that the phytosanitary issue was very important nowadays and that it would become more important in the future. “It is the main key to open markets and to keep them open, as the goal is to export products and not pests. This is why Senasa's participation is so important. Without Senasa, which is our strategic partner, we wouldn't be able to open any destination market for our fresh product.”
Source: Revista Horizonte / agraria.pe