The development of organic agro-export products is a vein of great value that markets with greater resources appreciate and which pay well. In Peru, various projects of this type were developed with the main agricultural products, including fruits, and with greater emphasis, blueberries.

One of these works takes place in the southern province of Moquegua, where Consorcio Agrícola Moquegua (CAMSAC) has an organic blue berry field, which is shipped to key markets abroad. CAMSAC is the name under which the San Clemente company, originally from Chile, operates in Moquegua, and has a long history in the business and international recognition. Fabiola Herrera, administrator of Huerto Moquegua for the company, tells Agraria.pe in this interview what the profile of the organization is and how the initiative emerged in this Peruvian region.

How did Empresas San Clemente's business journey begin?

We are a family business, which emerged in the 80s with the aim of contributing to maintaining healthy lifestyles, delivering healthy, fresh and quality food in Chile and to the world. Our holding company is made up of five agricultural development companies in charge of producing, processing and exporting fruit and juices to various markets.

During our history we have diversified into different geographic areas in Chile and outside the country. We have productive orchards in Peru, Colombia and England. Likewise, because we seek to generate close relationships with our clients and strengthen our business relationship, we have offices in New Jersey, United States; Cambridge, England; Rotterdam, Netherlands and Shanghai, China.

We have experienced a process of constant growth, allowing us to offer a wide range of products and varieties of fruit, with the highest standards of quality and production, going from having 100 hectares at the beginning to more than 2.500 productive hectares and 200 thousand boxes. Initially exported, we currently reach 4.500 billion.

How did the initiative for the development of organic blueberries in Moquegua come about?

When we saw that the Pasto Grande de Moquegua National Project grew internationally, at Empresas San Clemente we were interested in investing in the neighboring country. Our first steps were in the cultivation, packaging and export of grapes; project that did not have adequate commercial development and the idea arose to start working the land for the production of organic blueberries.

On the one hand, we sought to be able to open markets in the United States and Europe and, on the other hand, to arrive with quality and organic fruit worldwide.

¿What is the production level they currently achieve?

Currently, we have an orchard located in Moquegua under the name of Consorcio Agrícola Moquegua CAMSAC, which has an area of ​​50 hectares and produces different varieties of blueberries, such as Venturas, Max Biloxis and others of Australian origin: Mega Early, Mega Crisp and Mega On. In 2024, we plan to harvest 600.000 kilos of blueberries, which will mainly be exported to the US market.

What markets are you reaching with this product?

Mainly to the United States and Europe.

Do you plan to expand your productive capacity?

To date, we have a production of 600.000 kilos and the new investment in varieties will allow us to reach 1.200.000 kilos in the next three years. The above will be possible, because we have developed a project on varieties with high caliber and color potential along with a very good geographical location, since in Moquegua we achieve a very good flavor in the production of organic blueberries.

What general opinion do you have about the development of Peruvian agribusiness?

Our experience in cultivation in Maquegua has been positive, there is high radiation that has allowed favorable vegetative and fruit growth, particularly in our blueberries. We have not seen major events that affect production, due to the good weather and moderate rainfall.

Additionally, we have an expeditious transit of the product to the United States, guaranteeing the quality and freshness in the cold chain of organic blueberries.

Does the company have other plans in Peru?

We seek to expand to 98 hectares in the next three years to become the most important blueberry production company in southern Peru.