The Association of Peruvian Agricultural Producers Unions (AGAP) says Peru has exported 543,000 tons of fresh fruit in the first half of 2014, up 34 percent over the same period a year earlier.
This way Peru exported one third more fruit than in the first half of 2013, which is a considerable rise that not only shows increased agricultural production, but also results in increased trade in high added value products.
In addition, these figures show the sector has created a lot of jobs through rural development initiatives, which are aimed at maintaining the production competitiveness.
The biggest customers were Europe with 250,000 tons (+17 percent), followed by the United States (171,000 tons; 50 percent) and Asia (47,000 tons; 24 percent).
The most important exported fruit was mango, followed by avocados and grapes. The exportation of avocados and grapes has grown compared to last year.
Exports of blue berries have increased even more sharply. During the first half of the year Peru exported more than five times as many blueberries as in the same period last year.
Peru plans to further extend the acreage of blueberries in the future. Right now they estimate to have 1,000 hectares of blueberries. 3,000 hectares of blueberries are planned by 2020.
(END) AAC/AQR/RMB
Published: 9/21/2014