The cultivated area of table grape in the coastal Piura region, in northern Peru, increased by 150 percent, from 2,000 hectares that existed in 2013 to 5,000 hectares this year, Piura’s regional government has reported.
This rapid increase in area, mainly of the Red globe variety, was due to the arrival of major agricultural exporting companies to the region, such as Ecoacuícola, which already has 2,500 hectares, according to new data from the regional government’s Investment Promotion Office.
"Private investment brings new technology, such as modern irrigation. A lot of desert areas have been transformed into green carpets where grapes are cultivated," said Mario Orellana, assistant manager at the above-mentioned state-run office.
In this regard, the official explained Piura could possibly become the largest producer of table grapes nationwide, including beating Ica, by next year's campaign (October-December 2015).
Likewise, he noted that the average grape yield in the region was of 30,000 kilos per hectare and that they exported all of that production,
freshplaza.com reported.
The region's main markets are the United States, China, Canada, the Netherlands and England.
(END) INT/LOG
Published: 9/19/2014