Peru is one of the main export countries of blueberries in South America
The cranberry occupies the first place in the group of so-called superfruits and Peru is one of the main exporting countries of this resource in South America, said the co-chairman of the First Binational Council of Bilberry between the United States and Peru (USPBC, for short) in English), Miguel Bentín.
He indicated that his production began in the 2010 and exports began at the close of the 2013.
«This berry is one of the healthiest products that currently exists due to its great nutritional value and because it offers many benefits, as it has the greatest antioxidant properties on the planet», Dijo.
Currently, he noted, the production of blueberries grew favorably despite the climatic conditions that were presented by the El Niño Phenomenon (FEN).
Between the provinces of the country and the northern zone of Lima there are 2,400 hectares concentrated on the coast for the production of the superfruit, explained Bentín.
«The first blueberry harvests began around 2010 and exportable production began to gain notoriety at the end of 2013, the year in which the first 1,500 tons were exported. In 2014, around 3,000 tons were exported.commented to the Económika supplement of the Official Gazette El Peruano.
Training
In the first three months of this year the production of blueberries was 3,600 tons, which implies a growth of four times more compared to similar period of the previous year.
«The production curves of the season experienced a delay due to the change in temperature registered in these months, but the production volume has not changed», he said.
From January to December last year produced 10,300 tons of blueberries, only between June and December the production was 9,000 tons, very concentrated in November and December, announced Bentín, who is also president of the Association of Producers of Blueberries (Pro-Arandas) .
«The conditions on the Peruvian coast are good for blueberry production for a large part of the year, especially for the specific varieties of the fruit that have been proven; In addition, it presents an adequate space for new varieties that are being tested.", He said.
He highlighted the La Libertad region, which represents the 90% of the total national production by the available extensions and by the size of the companies, as well as by the projects that are developed in the place.
In Peru, there are about 2,400 hectares, and associated with Pro-Arándanos around 2,200 hectares. In addition, La Libertad has between 1,800 and 1,900 hectares.
Export
Peru ranks third as a blueberry exporting country in South America with 125,000 tons sold, according to Bentín.
"The development of this activity was promoted by the private sector, which works together with the National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri) for the opening of the market and binational work"said the executive.
He added that the demand for blueberries in the foreign market is growing, mainly in Japan, South Korea and China, markets that are still not accessible.
The entrance to the Chinese square is in an initial process, is growing and develops in countries of Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. "The idea is to free the accesses of these markets to be able to capitalize on the growth of the demand that exists in those nations", he said.
He highlighted Senasa's requests to the General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, (Aqsiq) were presented to begin the process of insertion of blueberries from Peru in China.
Strategic
The official stressed that the United States is positioned as a strategic market for Peruvian blueberries because the per capita consumption is two pounds (about one kilogram) per year.
He also said that the consumption of blueberries in the world continues to grow, while in Peru it is still very low because it is an unknown product and because it is not customary to consume it.
"The preference of Peruvian consumers for cranberry is increasing, although it is still low and people are expected to be more interested in its benefits," Bentin added.
Expectation
The official said that blueberry production is expected to rebound in the October-November period of this year.
«Between January and December, 20,000 tons would be exceeded; This figure is explained by the amount of planted area. In addition, it has a high growth rate because the plantations are very young."He said.
He added that the production would fluctuate between 20,000 and 25,000 tons of blueberries. In addition, the projection that the production of blueberries exceeds the 100% this year, taking into account that in the 2015 227% was increased.
It should be noted that the demand for blueberries in the 2015 in the United States was 70%.
Bilateral cooperation
The creation of the USPBC aims to promote cooperation, bilateral trade and investment in the blueberry export sector.
"It is an initiative of the private business community of both countries, in synergy with the agreements of the Peruvian and North American governments that will allow obtaining the necessary permits to create new opportunities for access to markets."explained Bentin.
He added that one of the effects of this strategy is that it will generate a common interest in which the United States will be supplied with blueberries at the time when it has no production.
He also said that it will improve access conditions, it will facilitate the inclusion of more ways to enter the US market at lower cost and with a product that has the best possible conditions.
Source: Andina.com.pe/
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