Last year, the Peruvian exporter Belfrut S.A.C. signed a commercial agreement with an association of 30-35 growers who own a total of 100 hectares of mango plantations in exchange of assistance in the cultivation process and the provision of sanitary products. This has granted Belfrut S.A.C. greater control over the entire production process and, consequently, over the quality of its fruit.
"This season was not particularly good, especially in Europe, as a result of the massive oversupply of Brazilian mangoes from mid-December to late January," explains Richard Belmar, manager of Belfrut. "Brazilian and Peruvian mangoes entered the market at the same time, and due to Brazil's lower overall costs, the Peruvian season was affected."
Richard Belmar was critical towards the Mango Association of Piura, and especially its president, for announcing in November in a local newspaper that "Brazil and Ecuador had already finished their campaign and Peru would be left alone in the markets."
"This false information was published at the time the harvest was starting and producers were subject to a price speculation that was artificial and damaging for both producers and exporters," denounces Belmar. "This is unacceptable, coming from entities intended to support and protect the interests of mango producers."
The mango season in the region where Belfrut S.A.C. is based, in Sullana, Piura, which takes place between November and February or March, is about to end. Temperatures at the moment are too high and the fruit that was harvested has started deteriorating. The production now moves to more southern regions, although Peruvian shipments to Europe will not continue past April.
With the end of the Peruvian campaign, the production and export of mangoes moves to African countries like the Ivory Coast, whose first shipments usually take place in mid-April. Meanwhile, Peru will start with the avocado campaign, although there won't be any large shipments until March.
The campaign in Chile, which is a great avocado producer as well as South America's largest consumer, is about to end, and this year it will open its borders to Peruvian avocados. According to Mr Belmar, this could have both positive and negative consequences.
"On the one hand, it is a neighbouring country which pays good prices for the fruit, and it is likely for Peru to reduce its shipments to other destinations and deflect them to Chile, thereby reducing Europe's oversupply. On the other hand, Peruvian growers may prefer to do business with Chile and demand the same conditions from Europe, as prices at origin will be higher. It is however, still early to know what will happen.
Peru's avocado production is relatively new and keeps growing every year. Some new plantations have started bearing fruit this season and thus greater production volumes than last year are expected. For its part, Belfrut S.A.C. is keen to find new clients interested in the purchase of Peruvian products, especially in Asia and the United States.
For more information:
BELFRUT S.A.C. (Peru)
Richard Belmar
M:+51 966565525
T:+51 73415883
r.belmar@belfrut.com
www.belfrut.com
skype: ricbel
FRUAL IMPORT S.A.R.L. (France)
M:+33 633294543
r.belmar@frutalimport.com
www.frutalimport.com
BELFRUT S.A.C. (Peru)
Richard Belmar
M:+51 966565525
T:+51 73415883
r.belmar@belfrut.com
www.belfrut.com
skype: ricbel
FRUAL IMPORT S.A.R.L. (France)
M:+33 633294543
r.belmar@frutalimport.com
www.frutalimport.com