Peru was presented as the host country at the recent Fruit Logistica 2013, which was led by authorities such as Minister José Luis Silva Martinot, Peru's agricultural minister Milton von Hesse and Peru's ambassador to Germany, Hans Meier.
Jose Luis S. Martinot, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, spoke about the importance of Peru in the Asian market compared to other Latin American countries. "In a process of market diversification, Peru have already started introducing products like grapes in China, which go into production to coincide with the Chinese New Year celebrations, getting good prices," he said. "Peru offers a very wide variety of fruit and vegetables and we intend to introduce them gradually into Asia as it is a market with great potential to acquire our vast production."
Peru's agricultural minister, Milton von Hesse, (right), and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, Jose Luis S. Martinot, (center).
With an economic crisis mainly in Europe, Peru aims to grow into other Latin American countries. "Latin America has always been our first market, to which, this year, we have increased our exports by almost 20%, while, to the rest of the world, our exports grew almost 10%," said the minister.
Regarding the domestic market, Martinot highlights that it is the one growing the most since "many people are coming out of poverty and joining the middle class with more purchasing power."
There are many small and medium known producers and exporters who contribute to the success of Peru's agricultural and horticultural market, either individually or in associations, which is why, "our ministry always advocates support of these producers in their exports. This fair is ideal for presenting all of our products as you can meet large companies and small businesses."
Associations are key to success
Peru's geography, from the warm shores to the cold heights of the Andes, allows it to have a wide variety of climates. "It is this diversity in altitude and climate which gives us the ability to produce all kinds of fruits and vegetables," said Milton von Hesse, Minister of Agriculture of Peru.
It is well known that there is strength in numbers, and Peru is one such example. "The associations of small and medium producers into guilds accounts for 80%, which is significant and key to success in exports," he said.
Peru's Minister of Agriculture, Milton von Hesse
The importance of organic production, one of Peru's niche markets, should be stressed. "Organic production, which is framed as a niche market, is growing. There is a lot of manpower in the Andean area, people who live in the poverty line and are capable of producing very special products. Our strategy is to focus on those products and niche markets to continue helping the eradication of poverty in all of Peru and to expand market diversification," concludes Mr. von Hesse.
Peru's importance in the German market
Peru has a great potential in Germany, Europe's main consumer of fresh Peruvian fruits and vegetables, importing for a value of about 100 million Euro, mainly asparagus. Once the new agreement between Peru and the European Union takes effect, exporters will have an infinite horizon," explains Hans Meier, Peru's ambassador to Germany. "Peru's fruit and vegetable sector is waging a campaign in Europe, because even if you know the quality of our asparagus and paprika, we want to introduce citrus, primarily exported to the U.S. market."
Hans Meier, Peru's ambassador to Germany