Between January and April 2014, Peru's ginger exports totalled U.S. $ 3.7 million, representing a 462% increase compared to the same period last year.
The information was provided by the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Export and Tourism (Promperú), which also stated that the product is mainly purchased by the U.S. ($ 2.33 million in sales) and the Netherlands ($ 928,000).
Promperú attributed the increase in shipments to the training that the country's companies have received to develop their business plans, as well as to the constant advice to take part in international fairs, with Peruvian ginger having already been exhibited at major German events, such as Fruit Logistica and BioFach. It will also be exhibited at Expoalimentaria and Perú Natura in Lima next August.
Peruvian ginger, which is mainly exported as organic produce and presented fresh, boxed and processed, arrived in smaller volumes to countries like France, Canada, Spain, Colombia and Chile, where according to Magali Silva, president of Promperú, there is potential for growth.
In 2013, exports totalled $ 8.1 million, representing an increase of 48% compared to 2012. Of this total, $ 5.1 million corresponded to the United States, while shipments to the Netherlands accounted for $ 1.7 million.
The main ginger production areas in Peru are Pichanaki, Satipo, San Martin de Pangoa and Mazamari (in the Junin region), all of them located in the Valley of the Apurimac River, Ene and Mantaro (Vraem).