Peru is positioned as the world's main exporter of blueberries and quinoa grains
Peru is the world's leading exporter of blueberries and quinoa grains; the second with fresh avocado, Amazonian chestnut and ginger and the third with canned hearts of palm.
In order to continue on this same path, it is necessary to address the challenges of the sector, which are part of the work agenda of the Association of Exporters of Peru (Adex) and other key institutions, said the president of the union, Julio Pérez Alván.
During his participation in the 22nd Agro-Exporter Lunch, which was attended by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Elizabeth Galdo Marin, and the Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, Angel Manero Campos, recalled that this sector generates economic and social development.
“According to CIEN-ADEX figures, agro-exports (traditional and non-traditional) represent 3,8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2023 they reached US$10.202 million, achieving a variation of 4,2% compared to 2022,” he commented.
“Despite a panorama complicated by the social upheaval at the beginning of 2023, Cyclone Yaku, the El Niño Phenomenon and other factors,” he continued, “they achieved a record thanks to the increase in Peruvian exports of fruits and cocoa. The supply of 644 products from 2.730 exporters reached 140 markets,” he said.
Julio Pérez Alván ADEX president photograph: ADEX Exporters Association
Diary
Perez Alvan He added that the investigation is on the pending agenda; Climatological phenomena are becoming stronger and more frequent, bringing with them the appearance of pests and diseases, surpassing the capacity and speed of adaptation of domesticated and wild species. “This should lead us to look for more resistant crops, without affecting biodiversity,” he suggested.
A challenge is the natural presence of some contaminants, such as phosphonic acid and organic bromide, which affect the export of organic and conventional products - he added - therefore, the support of research organizations is essential, in order to develop studies that identify the causes of this presence and propose actions to reduce it. “That is why we ask the Government to continue supporting the institutions that generate applied research, technological transfer, technical assistance, sanitary, phytosanitary, and zoosanitary protection,” he emphasized.
Another pending issue is the expansion of the agricultural frontier of the Andean country and access to water resources, in that sense, he highlighted that the Chavimochic III irrigation project has been resumed, stopped for more than 8 years and that will be resumed after the signing of the contract. between the governments of Peru and Canada. “It will add to the strengthening of our position as an agro-export power. We hope that other irrigation projects in the south will continue to be reactivated,” he said.
22nd Agro-Exporter Lunch of 2024 / Photography: ADEX Exporters Association
An important point is the strengthening of the National Service of Agrarian Health (Senasa) that manages the access of Peruvian products to other markets. He hoped that this year the access of table grapes to Chile, pomegranate and frozen fruits (mango, avocado and blueberry) to China, aguaymanto to the United States, hydrangeas to Brazil and citrus fruits to New Zealand and Vietnam can be approved. He considered that this institution requires a larger budget, so he asked the Peruvian Government to provide the necessary facilities.
European Union
He also referred to functional foods such as cañihua, tarwi and camu camu, considered novel foods to the European Union, so they cannot yet enter. Research work and the presentation of scientific and technical documentation to the European Health Authority will allow them to expand their opportunities. Likewise, he mentioned the European Union regulations against deforestation that will come into force at the end of this year and that includes products such as coffee, cocoa and oil palm. “There is great concern about the impact of this rule on these chains,” he added.
“ADEX works on two important fronts, trade promotion and coordination with institutions related to international trade. Together with Promperú and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the support of the Embassies of Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, the trade mission will be carried out to these Southeast Asian countries. In May, several companies will participate in the Thaifex Fair in Thailand,” he explained.
22nd Agro-Exporter Lunch of 2024 / Photography: ADEX Exporters Association
Peru will have a presence at the Seoul Food & Hotel fair, in Seoul, South Korea, and between September 25 and 27, the Expoalimentaria fair will be held in Lima, in addition to a trade mission to the Nordic countries in October with the support of the Embassy in Sweden. “I take advantage of this space to announce that our participation as organizers of the country pavilion of the SIAL Paris fair to be held from October 19 to 23 is added to the commercial agenda, where, together with PromPerú, we will bring around 40 food companies,” he noted. .
In turn, the heads of Mincetur and Midagri highlighted the progress of Peruvian agro-exports, their impact on job creation, and recalled the government's work in trade opening with the signing of more FTAs and infrastructure works (ports, airports, irrigation projects) and others.
Minister Ángel Manero Campos reaffirmed his commitment to carry out the new Agrarian Law, which aims to provide a promotional framework that boosts investments and ensures that this activity returns to the growth rates of previous years (between 10% and 15%).
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