Peruvian Agricultural Guilds Association (AGAP) president, Carlos Enrique Camet, today said the Andean nation is evaluating the possibility of exporting its agricultural products to more markets overseas.
“Ultimately, our goal is to open new markets, but it takes time, as there are a lot of politics involved and it involves years of work and negotiations,” he explained in an
article for international fresh produce website, freshplaza.com.
Camet noted that local market is growing, despite the fact that Peru exports 90% of its production. “We are very aware of the need to develop the domestic market, just like South Africa and Chile have already done.”
Regarding the situation created by the Russian ban, the president of AGAP Peru believes that there may be opportunities, as Russia is a huge market, “but you have to know the right people to prevent any potential problems with non-payments.”
It should be noted Peru is becoming a very relevant fresh producer worldwide; its asparagus, avocado, pomegranate, table grape and blueberry production, as well as its many varieties of citrus are growing increasingly popular.
In this regard, he said modern product net sales have increased from 250 million dollars to almost 1.5 billion in the last ten years.
The country also has some irrigation projects that will develop over the next five years, which will result in 200,000 new hectares for plantations, both in the north and the south.
“Two of these projects have just started and another two or three will start next year. We also aim to develop the markets and are working hard to expand in Asia,” explains Carlos.
He went on to add that Peru already has trade agreements for the export of table grapes with 21 Asian countries, but there is still the need to reach agreements for other products like mangoes, asparagus, pomegranates or blueberries, not just in Asia, but also other continents.
“We are able to compete head to head with any other grower worldwide in terms of high-tech, irrigation or phytosanitary conditions. We work really hard to remain competitive and productive in light of the rising costs of labour and I believe we are doing things the right way,” he added.
At the moment, Europe accounts for about 35% of the Association’s exports, shipping directly to countries like Spain, France, the UK or Germany and it has embarked on the process of prospecting new destinations like Italy or Eastern Europe.
(END) RMB/RMB
Published: 10/1/2014