Blueberries, Grapes, Avocados And Tangerines: The Successes Of Peru
In recent years Peru has become a world power of fruits. It is currently among the top 10 fruit exporting countries in the world, something unthinkable about 20 years ago. This was achieved due to a set of favorable factors such as a policy open to foreign investment and to the world, large infrastructure works, a favorable climate and a business community willing to invest and try.
The successful fruit crops were mainly 4: blueberries, table grapes, avocados and tangerines. Exports of these fruits increased sixfold during the last decade. Thanks to this, it became the world's leading exporter of fresh blueberries, surpassing Chile. In the case of table grapes, it has also climbed and is getting closer to Chile, the absolute leader for more than a decade. The same thing happens with avocado, it is currently the second largest exporter in the world, being surpassed only by Mexico.
Blueberries
It is the greatest success story. From not exporting anything 10 years ago, it became the world's leading exporter. Within Peru, it became the number one fruit in terms of foreign exchange earnings, surpassing the grape. The factors that were fundamental for this success were the availability of water, large surfaces, money to make huge investments and lower labor costs than its competitors. To this was added the economy open to the world and the possibility of quickly negotiating the opening of markets. Adapting the crop to the agroclimatic conditions of Peru was not easy, requiring a lot of trial and error to move forward. Initially it was only the Biloxis, with which it was successful, but recently other varieties were added. To such an extent that other varieties are currently being planted more than Biloxis. It was also necessary to see the location of the crops. The greatest development occurred in the northern region, in the department of Libertad and Lambayeque. There are also crops in the central region, Ancash, and in the south, Lima and Ica. But in these departments the progress of cultivation is slower, given that the appropriate agroecological conditions are not always available.
The crop was implanted with the aim of supplying the northern markets. In the local market it is practically not consumed. Given the progress of the crop and the enormous volumes produced, part of it began to be frozen, but this destination is even less.
El export growth was exponential. At 2020/21 it was possible to export some 161.000 tons, with which Peru became the first exporter of fresh blueberries in the world, displacing Chile, which for years held that position. In the first half of the current campaign, 2021/22, the amount exported in the entire previous season was already exceeded. At the end of 2021, 190.000 tons were reached, exceeding the previous year by 25%.
How to Live Aligned with main market are kept USA., receiving just over half of the shipments. It should be noted that, despite very important volumes, keep growing. It is estimated that in the current campaign it will receive some 120.000 tons from Peru. Next in importance Europe, acquiring more than one third of Peruvian exports. Especially continental Europe was one of the markets that grew the most. In Asia they have been put much expectation, but for now the volumes shipped are relatively low (12% of the total exported) and progress is slower than in other regions.
table grapes
Within the 4 successful fruits, the grape is the “more traditional”. Already 15 years ago Peru exported grapes, but at that time it was restricted to the variety red globe, which grows especially well in Peru. During the first years of fruit expansion, this was the variety with which Peru shone in the world. But this grape is in pullback in many marketsBeing overtaken by the new seedless varieties. Therefore, while 10 years ago 75% of Peru's exports were Red Globe, today that percentage has been reduced to less than half. An enormous effort was made to modernize the varietal spectrum. Currently only one third is the Red Globe, there 20% of other classics (Crimson, Sugraone) and the other half are patented. Within this, the Sweet Globe, which became the second variety exported by Peru. Other successful proprietary whites include Timpson, Ivory, Arra 15 and Sugar Crips. Among the pink ones, the Sweet Celebration, Allison and Jack's Salute stand out.
El culture grape grows excellently both in the northas center-south of the Peruvian coast. Along with the expansion of cultivation, so did export. While in 2010/11 some 90.000 tons were exported, in the 2020/21 the campaign closed with 470.000 tones. In other words, exports have increased fivefold in this period, thanks to a strong and sustained growth, supported by the incorporation of new acres, improvements in the form of production, mayores rendimientos and a strong varietal change, from the classic Red Globe to the new patented ones.
The current campaign, 2021/22, continues on the path of success. Once again the volumes of last campaign are being exceeded. Until the end of the year, 280.000 tons were shipped, 11% more than in 2020/21.
With regard to destinations, there is a strong shift towards the US While in 2010/11 only 26% of shipments went to North America, it currently reaches 45%. Europe received during the last years between 25-30%. Asia is next in importance, with a 10-15% share. Also in this case, despite the expectations placed on the Far East, it evolves more slowly than other regions. Secondary destinations are Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Avocados
After the blueberry, it is the species that expanded the most. The climate facilitates avocado production in large regions of the Peruvian coast, obtaining high productions of good quality and with a low incidence of pests and diseases. It is a very popular fruit in Peru, being an important ingredient in its cuisine. The growing interest in avocados worldwide, led Peru to become enthusiastic and strongly expand its cultivation with a view to export. These grew exponentially. Peru quickly surpassed its competitors, with the exception of Mexico, which is the undisputed number one in this business. In 2021 almost 537.000 tons were exported, exceeding 30 by 2020%.
In the case of avocado, trade is concentrated in Europe, receiving 2/3 of Peruvian exports. About 20% goes to the US 10% goes to the Far East, where China is the main market. Minor destinations are Canada, Russia, the Middle East and Latin America.
Tangerines
Citrus is another of Peru's successful crops. Among these we must highlight the tangerine, which represents the 75-80% of citrus exports from Peru. In the last 5 years, its exports practically they tripled. In the campaign that just finished managed to export 200.000 tons. Almost half of this volume is sent to the U.S. Although in the campaign that has just ended it registered a slight decrease, it is by far the main market. The second destination is Europe, receiving one third of shipments. Asia is outlined as fastest growing market During the last years. From receiving minimum volumes, I will acquire 13% of the exports of 2021.
La variety offer is wide, including Satsumas, Okitsu, Clementines, Primosole, Nova, Fortuna, Malvasio, Ellendale, Murcott, Tango, Nadorcot. It is in these last ones that I record its greatest expansion. Currently the 70% of its exports are late hybrids. But it was also successful with its Satsumas (20% of total exports) and Clementines (8%). While mid-season hybrids (Nova, Fortune, Malvasio, Ellendale) are being exported.
The other citrus fruits are oranges, tangelos and limes, of each one about 20.000 tons are exported. Within these, lime is the one that registers the highest growth, doubling its exports in the last 4 years.
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