Sierra Exportadora: The challenge is to develop Andean raspberries, berries, strawberries and berries

16/11/2015

Cranberries are the starting point of Sierra Exportadora for the production and export of berries, but the challenge is to also develop raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and Andean berries, said its CEO, Alfonso Velásquez.

Velásquez indicated, in the V International Seminar of Berries and Cherries, that the current objective is to go to the markets of Europe, United States and Asia, which are increasingly aware of the nutritional potential of these fruits, for their antioxidant qualities, as well as of its intense and unique flavors.

For his part, the head of Peru Berries Program Sierra Exportadora, William Daga, said that in Peru there is no geographical limitation for the development of berries and that blueberries, raspberries and strawberries will continue to grow in Peru following the path started by the asparagus , citrus fruits, avocados and table grapes.

He also explained that through this program, the production of berries is promoted in the regions of Junín, Cajamarca, Apurímac Cusco, Arequipa, Áncash and Lambayeque.

For his part, Velásquez indicated that the consumption of the new generations is nutraceutical nutrition, which is not only nourishing, but also that which has benefits for human health.

Therefore, Sierra Exportadora seeks to promote investment in the Peruvian highlands to consolidate a sustainable offer oriented to these markets that becomes a profitable alternative for small and medium-sized producers.

He explained that this promotion is supported by innovation, quality, technology transfer and financing, which ensures competitive production in the global market, also inserting small producers to the benefit of this stagnation.

"With this, the agricultural export boom stops being just a boom and becomes a sustainable activity that benefits all regions of the country", Velásquez said.

He also explained that in Europe there is a potential of 520 million consumers of berries, in the United States, a total of 280 million and in Asia, 2.000 million, the same ones that currently consume these fruits produced in Spain, England and Holland, as that can join Peru.

In this regard, he indicated that the challenge of Sierra Exportadora is to establish the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Andes and the exporting corporate companies, so that this production can be mass-produced in the highlands and take advantage of its agro-climatic conditions.

In the case of the Peruvian blueberry, it can be produced throughout the year. However, the months in which production for export begins is between September and November, a period in which Chile and Argentina have not yet started their production and, on the other hand, Europe and the United States are finishing their harvest, a situation that is undoubtedly advantageous. for Peru. The current Peruvian production area is very small (2.400 ha) compared to the area of the main producers of this berry, such as the United States, which has 44.000 ha and Chile, with 14.000 ha.

Source: Gestion.pe